Shakopee Rep. Mike Beard Joins Task Force to Aid Duluth After Flooding

Having seen the damage in Duluth and Thompson, MN on Tuesday,  said he feels swift action is needed to help residents of the Arrowhead Region who were affected by last week’s floods. On Wednesday, FEMA officials toured the area and are set to deliver their assessment to Gov. Mark Dayton, who will then decide when to call a legislative special session.

Wednesday, Speaker of the House Representative Kurt Zellers (R-Maple Grove) asked Beard to be a part of a task force drafting legislation for the state’s portion of the emergency response. As chairman of the House Transportation Committee, Rep. Beard can help facilitate the reconstruction of devastated roads and bridges in the area.

“Gratefully, there was no loss of human life, but it is truly heart wrenching what the citizens of the area are enduring," Beard said. "It’s important that we streamline the process to get the federal and state aid up to those cities and counties as they continue rebuilding."

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Estimates of the damage to public infrastructure have varied widely, ranging from $50 million to $100 million and state aid will be expected to make up about 25 percent of that. Beard says those numbers will firm up as Dayton gets the information back from FEMA and the rest of the state agencies give their assessment of what is needed.

“Once the state agencies know what they need to get the flood damage repaired we’ll work with them to pass the bill in special session,” said Beard.

The task force committee will be comprised of bipartisan members of the House and Senate as well as key members of state agencies and members of Dayton’s staff.

Overall, Minnesota counties (including Carlton, Lake and St. Louis) have accumulated well over the $7.1 million threshold in damages, which qualifies the area for Federal relief.  

Beard will tour those counties again on Friday with Gov. Dayton, colleagues and members of several state agencies.

“It’s important we get this right the first time so the people affected from the flooding can rebuild and move on with their lives.”