ST. PAUL – Following record-setting snowfall in Minnesota last month, and another major snowfall event to begin March, weather experts are predicting major flooding throughout the state this spring and in Jordan, it is already happening. However, Minnesota’s Disaster Assistance Contingency Account - created to allocate funds to communities impacted by natural disasters and to avoid calling special sessions to authorize the appropriation of these funds - sits empty.
State Representative Tony Albright, R-Prior Lake, co-authored legislation that will replenish this needed funding so impacted cities will be able to immediately begin recovery efforts.
“We are already seeing significant flooding in Jordan so this matter becomes even more real and important for our community,” said Rep. Albright. “As it stands today, the State of Minnesota is not financially prepared to respond to floods that are happening today and will only get worse around the state. It is critical that we put funding in place now so our flood victims can avoid the potential of becoming a pawn in end of session budget negotiations.”
The bill would transfer $20 million in Fiscal Year 2019 and another $20 million in Fiscal Year 2020 to Minnesota’s disaster assistance contingency account, effective the day after final enactment.
The account is now in the red after Minnesota responded with $11 million in relief to flooding events last year in Brainerd and Duluth. The lawmakers noted that Governor Walz has proposed putting $10 million into the account for 2019, but that would be insufficient based on last year’s use and this year’s flood predictions.
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