Special session scheduled

Gov. Pawlenty has scheduled a special session for Monday, Oct. 18 at 1:00 p.m. to address flood relief in southern Minnesota. Pawlenty had earlier called a special session for this week; however, it was rescheduled to allow for a federal disaster to be declared, which President Obama did yesterday for 21 affected counties. Lawmakers will vote on a bill that includes approximately $74 million in flood relief.

The special session will also include help for areas damaged by tornadoes earlier this summer. $5.2 million is slated for 13 storm-damaged counties. It also includes $750,000 to update Wadena’s existing pre-design and design plans for public facilities and $693,000 for school districts that incurred uninsured losses to buildings and equipment. Students in grades 9 - 12 from the local Wadena high school have been taking classes at the Minnesota State Community and Technical College, Wadena since the start of school this fall, and are expected to attend classes there for the next two years.

The Senate Finance Committee is scheduled to meet Monday, Oct. 18 at 8:00 a.m. in room 123 of the State Capitol to review the 2010 Disaster and Emergency Assistance legislation prior to the special session convening at 1:00 p.m. Following the Finance Committee, the Capital Investment committee will meet to review the bill at 9:30, also in room 123 of the Capitol. The Senate Taxes Committee is scheduled to review the legislation at 10:30 in room 15 of the Capitol.

The House Finance Committee is scheduled to meet the morning of Oct. 18 at 9:00 a.m. in room 200 of the State Office Building.