To the editor,
This week, during a Special Session of the Legislature, we approved disaster aid for communities across Minnesota. These communities were hit especially hard during strong storms and flooding in late June. Preliminary damage assessments determined the storms caused $17.8 million in damage to public infrastructure in 18 counties across the state. Those 18 counties include Swift County in our district, as well as Benton, Big Stone, Douglas, Faribault, Fillmore, Freeborn, Grant, Hennepin, Houston, McLeod, Morrison, Pope, Sibley, Stearns, Stevens, Traverse and Wilkin.
Our bill will allow both federal and state funds to cover the costs of repairs. FEMA will reimburse 75 percent of approved costs in the 18 counties that received federal disaster declaration. The 25 percent non-federal share for those counties is going to be covered by the roughly $4.5 million approved in our bill this week. The bill also included flexibility that will allow Rock and Nobles County, as well as the City of Worthington, respond to storms that hit their communities.
Minnesota has a long history of coming together to support those in need of disaster aid. I’m happy we were able to put partisan politics aside and deliver aid to communities who are in need of it.
There were also several other bills introduced during the special session, including my bill to support farmers by repealing the farm equipment repair tax. Unfortunately, Republican leaders blocked a proposal introduced by DFL leaders to repeal the farm equipment tax and insisted on a larger group of tax cuts without a plan to pay for them. I am hopeful we are able to work together during the regular session starting this upcoming February to address this issue.
Rep. Andrew Falk