Rep. Mike Beard Tours Duluth and Area Flood Damage

Rep. Mike Beard, R-Shakopee, tweeted Wednesday, "Natural disasters can bring out the best in folks. I'm hearing stories of good, resourceful people who now need our help."

Beard was in Duluth and northeastern Minnesota to see flood damage in Duluth and surrounding communities Wednesday with other legislative leaders and the state's Commissioner of Transportation.

He was planning to go at the invitation of Sen. Roger Reinert, D-Duluth, but the Commissioner of Transportation suggested he and Sen. Joe Gimse, R-Willmar, join the group flying up there. Beard is chairman of the transportation policy and finance committee.

"We will be touring some of the damaged areas and getting a briefing from the MnDOT district office folks in Duluth who have been busy surveying the damage and working on estimates for repair," Beard told Patch Wednesday morning. "I think we can count on a special session in a few months to pass the legislation necessary to authorize the expenditure of federal funds and some state borrowing, if necessary."

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