ST.PAUL, Minn. – The Minnesota House voted 126-0 to replenish the state’s depleted disaster contingency fund with $40 million. The bill next goes to the Senate. Representative Gene Pelowski, a Winona Democrat, who sponsored the bill, said the bill will expedite aid to communities to repair roads and public utilities and buildings. Hitherto communities had to wait for the Legislature to approve emergency aid, which was problematic because the Legislature goes months between sessions.
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Pelowski: “When disasters strike outside of the regular legislative session, this account is a crucial tool for ensuring impacted communities receive support in a timely manner. Since many towns in Minnesota are unable to address the damage of a devastating flood, fire or storm on their own, adequately replenishing this account before the regular session ends is imperative.”