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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 JOHN CARLSON DELIVERS FUNDING FOR DISASTER RECOVERY Several northern Minnesota Counties will receive relief from flood and wind damage |
St. Paul --- State Senator John Carlson (R-Bemidji) was at the State Capitol on Friday when the Minnesota Legislature convened a special session to authorize state aid for northeastern and central counties that were damaged by flooding and windstorms earlier this summer. The recovery package, of which Senator Carlson is a coauthor, totaled $167.5 million and was approved by an overwhelming, bipartisan vote of the Minnesota Senate.
“Minnesota has a strong tradition of joining together in a bipartisan effort to deliver relief to affected areas of the state. I was proud to be an active member of both working groups while we crafted this bill. Although the principle portion of the bill uses transportation funds for local road, bridge and infrastructure restoration, I worked hard to secure $2 million for reforestation, timber salvage and lost revenue costs on wind damaged lands in northwest Minnesota. In addition, I was a staunch advocate for obtaining $5.8 million in funds for the Department of Public Safety to distribute to local units of government for reimbursement of their recovery costs,” said Senator Carlson.
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% 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.
“Legislative leaders made a concentrated effort to keep a narrow focus of this disaster relief bill confined strictly to damage incurred by flooding and windstorms and I am proud to have been part of that effort,” said Senator Carlson. “Our goal was to demonstrate to our fellow citizens that we are moving forward quickly and responsibly to deliver the much-needed funds to repair damaged areas of the state and restore Minnesota’s infrastructure for travel, tourism and commerce.”
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