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 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.
Dodge, Steele and Rice Counties were not included in the disaster relief, but Rep. Fritz (DFL-Faribault) says she is working on legislation with Rep. David Bly (DFL-Northfield) to provide assistance to their communities next session.
“When storms and natural disasters hit, it is the duty of the legislature to come together in a bipartisan and timely manner to help communities rebuild and move forward,” said Rep. Fritz. “We suffered damage in our area but unfortunately were not included in the relief aid. I will continue to advocate for assistance for district 24b during the interim.”
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. Fritz can be reached by phone at (651) 296-8237 or by email at rep.patti.fritz@house.mn.
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