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Legislative News and Views - Rep. Peggy Bennett (R)

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RELEASE: Statement from Rep. Peggy Bennett on passage of disaster relief bill

Monday, January 26, 2015
Rep. Peggy Bennett, R-Albert Lea, issued the following statement after the House unanimously passed SF1 on a 132-0 vote, which provides $17 million for recovery efforts by cities and counties following severe flooding last summer. The bill includes funding for Freeborn County, Mower County, Dodge County, Steele County, and Faribault County, portions of which are all included in District 27A.
 
"I'm proud that the legislature continued its tradition of coming together to support disaster relief efforts on a bipartisan basis," Bennett said. "This bill provides necessary funding for cities and counties, and does it in a fiscally responsible way by using mostly unspent money from previous disaster relief bills. This is a common-sense solution that will help dozens of counties around the state, including every county here in our district."
 
In total, SF1 provides $17 million in disaster relief to 47 counties and three tribal governments, but uses just $2.2 million in new state money thanks to canceling previous unspent disaster relief appropriations. $13 million will come from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, as a part of their matching funds for disaster relief. The bill was passed last week by the Senate and now heads to the Governor's desk for his signature. 
 
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