ST. PAUL – The Senate version of a bill Rep. Bob Vogel, R-Elko-New Market, authored to provide flood relief funding in Scott County and throughout Minnesota easily passed the Minnesota House Monday.
Scott was among the state’s hardest hit by flooding last June and July. It is among the 47 Minnesota counties and three Indian reservations scheduled to receive relief. The bill (H.F. 164/S.F. 1) provides $74 million in all, with $17 million in state funding allowing the state access to more than $50 million in additional federal funding for recovery efforts.
“We placed urgency on this assistance so we can get relief where it is needed as soon as possible,” Vogel said. “This quick turnaround will give local units of government adequate time to get bids and contracts in place for this spring.”
The bill previously passed the Senate and has been presented to Gov. Mark Dayton for his action.
This package helps areas like Vogel’s District 20A recover from previous floods, but he also is examining ways the state and private landowners can collaborate to mitigate damage from future floods.
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