Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle are looking for more stable funding for the state’s Disaster Assistance Fund, even as a one-time 30-million-dollar infusion at Governor Tim Walz’s request moves forward in the Minnesota House. Starbuck Republican Paul Anderson says, “We have over a billion dollars in the budget reserve. We have a ‘Rainy Day Fund.’ If some of that could be designated, if the need were there to replenish this disaster fund to give it a more stable basis in case of a severe disaster someplace.”
Winona Democrat Gene Pelowski responds he’s discussing with House leaders whether there should be a permanent appropriation for the Disaster Assistance Fund: “Not a contingency appropriation, but a permanent appropriation,” Pelowksi says, “And the size of that appropriation.”