ST. PAUL -- Minnesota legislators head back to St. Paul on Monday to approve spending disaster-relief funds in what is supposed to be a neat, clean afternoon affair where lawmakers hear the proposal, vote for it and go home.
At least that is what Gov. Tim Pawlenty said he and legislative leaders want and expect. Some legislators promise to bring up other bills, but they may have little chance since any item other than disaster funds would need massive support even to be debated.
Pawlenty wants the session to last less than a day, but once lawmakers return to session, he has no control over when they leave. He could, however, veto any bills they pass.
Legislators will consider a nearly $80 million disaster bill, with most going to flood relief and $6.6 million to tornado aid in the Wadena area.
Lawmakers plan to begin committee hearings on the disaster spending at 8 a.m. Monday.
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Pawlenty's special session call followed by hours President Obama declaring 21 southern Minnesota counties a federal disaster area after rains of up to 10 inches fell late last month, causing extensive flooding. Obama's declaration means that debris removal and public facility repair will be paid for with 75 percent federal funds.
"We thank the federal government for providing assistance that will help Minnesota communities in their rebuilding efforts, and we look forward to their decision on help for individuals who were affected by flooding last month," Pawlenty said. "While we're hopeful that the decision on individual assistance will be made soon, the state will not delay in its response."
On Friday, Pawlenty announced the Small Business Administration will offer low-interest loans in 16 Minnesota counties to help replace private property damaged in September floods.
The declaration covers Blue Earth, Dodge, Faribault, Fillmore, Freeborn, Goodhue, Jackson, Martin, Mower, Olmsted, Rice, Steele, Wabasha, Waseca, Watonwan and Winona counties.
The SBA disaster program makes loans of up to $200,000 available to homeowners to repair or replace damaged real estate. Interest rates are as low as 2.5 percent. More information is available at www.sba.gov .
The Federal Emergency Management Agency already has declared a disaster in 21 Minnesota counties, but that program is for repairing public property.
There is a flap about whether two Democratic-Farmer-Labor lawmakers should bring up a bill Monday to make it tougher for school kids to bully others. That did not go over well with those in flooded areas.
"I am extremely disappointed that House and Senate Democrats are trying to satisfy their insatiable appetite to create more government mandates during a special session," said Rep. Steve Drazkowski, R-Wabasha, whose district includes three communities hit hard by September flooding. "Flood relief is desperately needed in southern Minnesota."
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Wadena was included in the state disaster bill after Pawlenty originally said community leaders told him they could wait until the regular legislative session in January for aid. But, he added, as long the Legislature was considering disaster assistance, it made sense to include Wadena's needs now.
"All their facilities will be rebuilt," Pawlenty said of Wadena, which lost a community center that included an ice rink, the high school, an outdoor pool and other public facilities.
Don Davis reports for Forum Communications Co., which owns the News Tribune.
