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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 HOWE ADVANCES DISASTER RELIEF & RECOVERY BILL Goodhue County included in bill to repair and restore critical infrastructure |
St. Paul--- State Senator John Howe (R-Red Wing) 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. Senator Howe was a co-author of the recovery package which 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. We are making appropriations consistent with disaster relief efforts of the past. This bill is of great importance to residents of Goodhue County who have seen the road and highway washouts first hand as a result of the flooding,” said Senator Howe. “A key provision I worked hard to secure in this bill is the $11 million for rehabilitation of areas that suffered extreme erosion, sediment deposit and water quality degradation.”
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.
“The mission of the bill and the special legislative session is to direct immediate assistance for communities and local units of government, while also installing a long term plan to address future needs. Disasters like this are about people and needs and transcend partisanship and electoral politics,” concluded Senator Howe.
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