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State Representative Carolyn Laine
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
651-296-4331
For more information contact: Joan Nichols 651-29X-XXXX
Column/LTE
An Obvious Case For a Special Session
Dear Editor:
A collapsed bridge and devastating floods in southeastern Minnesota more than make an obvious case for a special session. Recently, leaders of the House and Senate sent a letter to the governor stating that the bridge and floods would be the sole focus of a session that would last no more than two days. We are still waiting for the governor to make the necessary call for a special session.
Governor Pawlenty refuses to act decisively on these tragic disasters that have hit our state hard and fast. Instead he plays word games in public but evades actually negotiating an agreement. His response to these emergencies is flawed and incomplete.
The governor will provide some basic assistance to flood victims using executive emergency powers; but the serious work of debris removal and assistance to counties, schools, businesses, and homeowners will require a special session. Even the Chamber of Commerce president in Rushford lauds the assistance of DFL legislators and criticizes the lack of help from the governor.
The governor says the federal government will cover the costs for the bridge, but MnDOT has publicly stated that recovery and restoration costs will go beyond federal dollars. Also, because MnDOT is so severely underfunded, it does not have the cash flow on hand for the project.
Bottom line, we need flood relief and we need cash flow funding for MnDOT. How much longer must Minnesotans wait for decisive leadership?
Sincerely,
Carolyn Laine
State Representative, 50A
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