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| Date: | August 24, 2012 | | Contact Name: | Peter Winiecki | | Contact Phone: | 651-297-8077 | | Contact Email: | peter.winiecki@senate.mn | | For Immediate Release | |
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| SENATOR JOE GIMSE ADVANCES DISASTER RELIEF LEGISLATION Bi-partisan infrastructure recovery bill directs over $167 million to affected areas |
St. Paul --- State Senator Joe Gimse (R-Willmar) served as the chief author of the disaster relief and recovery bill that passed with overwhelming, bipartisan support during a special legislative session on Friday. The bill directs a total funding package of $167.5 million for local road, bridge and infrastructure restoration. The measure also funds 100 percent of the public assistance state and local FEMA match. Specifically, the bill designates $5.8 million to assist local communities like Kandiyohi County, to cover cleanup expenses resulting from wind damage incurred in early July that did not reach the federal disaster declaration threshold.
“I am very pleased with the level of engagement from the Executive branch and members of the Minnesota Senate in bringing this bill together,” said Senator Gimse. “Disasters like this are about people and families and that transcends partisanship and electoral politics.”
The major provisions included in the disaster recovery package include: $79 million for roads and bridges, much of which is eligible for reimbursement from federal sources; $24.975 million for 100 percent of the state and local match for FEMA eligible disaster recovery project funding; $15 million for the Minnesota Investment Fund to assist local businesses in their recovery in addition to federal assistance available through the Small Business Administration; $12.2 million to assist individuals repair residential damage, and $10 million for flood hazard mitigation projects to reduce future flood damage risks.
Although it is challenging to justify changing the rules after a community has suffered losses, recommendations by the Office of the Legislative Auditor were considered. These reforms include new reporting requirements for the Department of Employment and Economic Development, establishing grant eligibility standards from the Minnesota Investment Fund and loan payback requirements that will improve accountability and providing dedicated accounts for future disaster individual assistance commonly denied by the federal government. Funds authorized in the bill were structured to better improve long term recovery coordination.
Senator Gimse concluded: “Our hope was to have a speedy and efficient special session, which I am proud to say we accomplished, so that we can begin reconstruction as soon as possible. It is important to let our fellow citizens know that we are moving forward quickly and responsibly to repair damaged areas of the state and restore Minnesota’s infrastructure for travel, tourism and commerce.”
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