ST. PAUL, MN – Today, the Minnesota Legislature convened for a one-day Special Session to approve $4.5 million in disaster relief funding for 18 southern and central Minnesota counties damaged by storms in June. In addition, lawmakers reappropriated funds to counties impacted by the 2013 ice storm.
After President Barack Obama signed a federal disaster relief declaration in July, the state of Minnesota needed to appropriate the funding in order to secure matching funds from the federal government to go towards repair costs for damaged roads, bridges, buildings and other public infrastructure.
The 18 Minnesota counties eligible for disaster relief aid in the wake of the June storms include Benton, Big Stone, Douglas, Faribault, Fillmore, Freeborn, Grant, Hennepin, Houston, McLeod, Morrison, Pope, Sibley, Stearns, Stevens, Swift, Traverse and Wilkin. Funding will be distributed through the Department of Public Safety.
Rep. Lyndon Carlson (DFL—Crystal) praised state lawmakers for working together to help Minnesotans impacted by June’s storms. Robbinsdale, Crystal, Plymouth, New Hope, Golden Valley and other communities in Hennepin County will receive disaster relief aid.
“Today lawmakers met in St. Paul to provide disaster relief in a timely and bipartisan manner so that local communities can continue to move forward,” said Rep. Carlson. “For many areas, relief efforts will continue on for several months and state and federal aid will ensure that Minnesotans are able to fully get back on their feet.”
The 2013 Disaster Relief Bill does not appropriate any new funds and has zero impact on the General Fund. The bill also does not provide additional funding for counties not included in a declaration area.
Lawmakers will reconvene next on February 25 for the 2014 legislative session.
Rep. Carlson can be reached by phone at (651) 296-4255 or by email at rep.lyndon.carlson@house.mn.
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