Minnesota House of Representatives
Republican Caucus

ST. PAUL - House Republican leadership today urged Minnesota Governor Jesse Ventura to call a special session of the Legislature to assist with the cleanup and rebuilding of northwestern Minnesota after the June flooding.

House Majority Leader Tim Pawlenty (R-Eagan) said the House Republican Caucus is willing to limit a special session to only addressing flood relief.

"The people in northwestern Minnesota need to be assured that the state government is going to do all it can reasonably do to assist them as soon as possible," said Pawlenty. "They need to know that the State of Minnesota stands willing to partner with the federal government to provide assistance to help them cleanup and rebuild."

Pawlenty and House Jobs & Economic Development Finance Committee Chairman Dan McElroy (R-Burnsville) returned today after touring the flood damaged areas in Roseau, Warroad and Ada. They made the trip with Ed Leier from Minnesota's Division of Emergency Management. Weir has made several trips to the flood damaged areas.

Two weeks ago, House Speaker Steve Sviggum (R-Kenyon), House Environment & Natural Resources Finance Chairman Mark Holsten (R-Stillwater) and Bob Gunther (R-Fairmont), Vice-Chair of the Jobs & Economic Development Finance Committee also toured the flood damaged area and met with many local officials and residents.

"We have seen the devastation and damage first-hand," said Sviggum. "Nothing could have prepared me for what I saw on my visit there on June 17th. Nearly every single homeowner, farmer or business owner has suffered damage and loss as a result of the flooding.

"It is imperative that the governor call a special session as soon as possible to ensure that the State of Minnesota is doing all it can to aid in the cleanup and recovery of northwestern Minnesota."

It is estimated that up to 95 percent of all homes and 99 percent of all businesses suffered at least some damage as a result of the flooding. Pawlenty also noted that the majority of the hay crop has been lost and farmers who managed to save their cattle will now be struggling to feed those animals and get them to market.

"The losses will be felt for some time," said Pawlenty. "Farmers lost their crops, businesses remain closed and homes will have to be rebuilt and repaired. The Republicans in the House stand ready to help, much the way we did after the 1997 flooding in the Red River Valley."

"We will continue to do whatever we can reasonably and prudently do to help the people of Northwestern Minnesota rebuild," said Sviggum. "We stand committed to helping the state partner with the federal government and your local communities to help you recover from this disaster."

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