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State Representative Linda Slocum
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
651-296-7158
For more information contact: Joan Nichols 651-29X-XXXX
Column/LTE
The Real Roadblock
Dear Editor,
Last week I joined legislators on the House floor to unanimously pass a $157 million disaster relief package focused on flood-stricken communities in southeastern Minnesota. In a one-day special session we passed the largest flood relief package in our state's history.
A combination of cash and loans is now availabe to help businesses and homeowners rebuild and pay for road and bridge repairs as well as replace drinking water systems.
The Disaster Relief Bill is $218 million - we also included $55 million for rebuilding the Interstate 35W bridge and $5.3 million in disaster relief for Browns Valley and Crookston (areas affected by earlier floods) and central Minnesota drought. We made the flood-relief bill as flexible as possible to expedite the funds to those in need.
Highlights of the bill:
· $17 million appropriated to the state and local match for federal FEMA disaster assistance.
· $51 million allocated to repair roads and bridges.
· $35 million directed to local businesses affected by the flooding, and $10 million to help rebuild the infrastructure in those areas.
· $18 million extended to flexible housing assistance to help homeowners as rebuilding efforts get underway.
· Individual school districts in the flood zone will receive funds to cover clean-up and flood repair costs.
This special session delivered relief to communities that have been asking for help and leadership. We needed to get this bill done - We should have done it sooner, not three weeks later.
Still, I can't help thinking about missed opportunities. We should be taking care of other important business (comprehensive transportation funding, property tax relief, and Local Government Aid). This special session was scripted by the governor and blocked legislative initiatives important to the Minnesota way of life. Turning a deaf ear to the needs of Minnesotans is not a plan to govern by - it’s a roadblock!
Let's learn from this summer's disasters and build a more proactive rather than a reactive approach to extend our resources to Minnesota communities and citizens in need.
Sincerely,
State Representative Linda Slocum,
District 63B Bloomington and Richfield
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