Dear neighbors,
Today, the Minnesota Legislature convened for a one-day Special Session to approve $4.5 million in disaster relief funding for 18 Minnesota counties damaged by storms in June, including Hennepin County. Lawmakers also appropriated funds to counties impacted by the 2013 ice storm.
Severe storms this summer caused widespread damage and resulted in the largest power outage in state history. In order to secure matching funds from the federal government, the legislature had to appropriate state funding for disaster relief. These funds will 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.
It is the legislature’s duty to aid Minnesotans when natural disasters strike to ensure that communities are able to swiftly 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.
Since the legislature adjourned in May, there has been some discussion about a business-to-business warehouse tax scheduled to go into effect in April 2014. I am advocating for repeal of this tax as it could put our businesses at a competitive disadvantage with neighboring states and growing jobs and the economy is a top priority. This tax repeal was briefly considered to be included in the special session, but unfortunately was not included in the final agenda agreed to by legislative leadership. I am hopeful, considering this tax does not go into effect until April, that we will be able to repeal this tax next session and will continue to work with the business community to ensure it.
Lastly, I want to invite you to an education town hall meeting on Saturday, September 21 at Forest Hills Elementary (13708 Holly Rd, Eden Prairie, 55436) at 1:00 p.m. Rep. Paul Rosenthal will be joining us. I hope to see you there.
As always, thank you for the honor of being your voice at the Capitol.
Best,
Yvonne