Tuesday, September 25, 2007
Flooding in Southern Minnesota - Update...
After almost six weeks of negotiation, Governor Tim Pawlenty called a special legislative session for Tuesday, September 11. A special legislative session can only be called by the Governor; however, once in session the Legislature operates as it chooses. Because of this, it is typical for the Governor to push for an agreement in advance to determine the scope of the Legislature’s discussions, what the bill or bills sent to him will contain, and even the length of the special session. Once this negotiation was complete, the special session was called.
The special session started at 5:00 pm on September 11 and lasted until the early hours of the next morning. Discussion of a potential special session began following the 35W bridge collapse, with some expectation that a transportation funding package would be under consideration. Ultimately, the impetus for the special session came from the needed flood relief for southeastern Minnesota, with an agreement on transportation funding beyond reach and thus, largely ignored.
The flood relief package appropriated $218 million. $35 million was designated for the Minnesota Investment Fund (http://www.deed.state.mn.us/bizdev/InvFd/) to provide grant dollars for Department of Human Services program areas in the flooded areas. This includes the many child care programs – family child care homes and child care centers – that sustained tremendous damage and are in great need of resources. The funds should provide some relief, although perhaps not in as timely a manner as some would hope. Additionally, some disaster relief funding was included for the northeastern part of the state, which experienced flood damage last spring as well as difficulties related to the more recent droughts.
Despite legislative provisions to assist childcare providers whose homes were damaged in the flooding, many will need recovery assistance in order to begin providing services again. Early estimates indicate more than 100 childcare facilities suffered damage to their business equipment ranging from sodden flooring, to damaged furnaces, water heaters, washers and dryers, cribs, high chairs and toys. Many providers are concerned about loss of wages and an inability to provide child care services for working parents, and the new demand from parents who normally don't work outside the home who are now immersed in recovery and clean up of their own.
Providers in Fillmore County can still use your help. This update is from Jackie Donahoe, Child Care Resource & Referral/First Steps Initiative:
As of September 18th, 2007 fifty-six (56) providers have contacted Child Care Resource & Referral regarding Emergency Flood Funding. The damages reported by the providers include carpeting, hot water heaters, furnaces, sewer damage, flooded basements, destroyed toys and equipment.
The Rushford – Peterson Community Education Program opened a center to care for children on a short term emergency basis. All ages of children are welcome and the center plans to offer child care while providers get their businesses up and running again. Child Care Resource & Referral temporarily accepted donations from local providers to aid the emergency center in caring for children of all ages. Our agency took many loads of supplies, equipment and materials to aide in the emergency center start up.
If you are interested in helping providers we are now taking cash donations for our Flood Fund. All donations made to the Flood Fund will be used to help Licensed Child Care Providers get business up and running again.
If you are a provider in need of assistance from the Flood Recovery Grant Fund please contact:
Maribeth Fair-Pingree
507-287-2020 Ext.156 or 1-800-462-1660 Ext. 156
maribethp@c2r2.org
To make a donation to the Flood Fund (write “Flood Recovery Fund” in the Memo section) please mail a check to:
Child Care Resource & Referral
Attention: Kristine Stensland
126 Woodlake Drive SE
Rochester, MN 55904
After almost six weeks of negotiation, Governor Tim Pawlenty called a special legislative session for Tuesday, September 11. A special legislative session can only be called by the Governor; however, once in session the Legislature operates as it chooses. Because of this, it is typical for the Governor to push for an agreement in advance to determine the scope of the Legislature’s discussions, what the bill or bills sent to him will contain, and even the length of the special session. Once this negotiation was complete, the special session was called.
The special session started at 5:00 pm on September 11 and lasted until the early hours of the next morning. Discussion of a potential special session began following the 35W bridge collapse, with some expectation that a transportation funding package would be under consideration. Ultimately, the impetus for the special session came from the needed flood relief for southeastern Minnesota, with an agreement on transportation funding beyond reach and thus, largely ignored.
The flood relief package appropriated $218 million. $35 million was designated for the Minnesota Investment Fund (http://www.deed.state.mn.us/bizdev/InvFd/) to provide grant dollars for Department of Human Services program areas in the flooded areas. This includes the many child care programs – family child care homes and child care centers – that sustained tremendous damage and are in great need of resources. The funds should provide some relief, although perhaps not in as timely a manner as some would hope. Additionally, some disaster relief funding was included for the northeastern part of the state, which experienced flood damage last spring as well as difficulties related to the more recent droughts.
Despite legislative provisions to assist childcare providers whose homes were damaged in the flooding, many will need recovery assistance in order to begin providing services again. Early estimates indicate more than 100 childcare facilities suffered damage to their business equipment ranging from sodden flooring, to damaged furnaces, water heaters, washers and dryers, cribs, high chairs and toys. Many providers are concerned about loss of wages and an inability to provide child care services for working parents, and the new demand from parents who normally don't work outside the home who are now immersed in recovery and clean up of their own.
Providers in Fillmore County can still use your help. This update is from Jackie Donahoe, Child Care Resource & Referral/First Steps Initiative:
As of September 18th, 2007 fifty-six (56) providers have contacted Child Care Resource & Referral regarding Emergency Flood Funding. The damages reported by the providers include carpeting, hot water heaters, furnaces, sewer damage, flooded basements, destroyed toys and equipment.
The Rushford – Peterson Community Education Program opened a center to care for children on a short term emergency basis. All ages of children are welcome and the center plans to offer child care while providers get their businesses up and running again. Child Care Resource & Referral temporarily accepted donations from local providers to aid the emergency center in caring for children of all ages. Our agency took many loads of supplies, equipment and materials to aide in the emergency center start up.
If you are interested in helping providers we are now taking cash donations for our Flood Fund. All donations made to the Flood Fund will be used to help Licensed Child Care Providers get business up and running again.
If you are a provider in need of assistance from the Flood Recovery Grant Fund please contact:
Maribeth Fair-Pingree
507-287-2020 Ext.156 or 1-800-462-1660 Ext. 156
maribethp@c2r2.org
To make a donation to the Flood Fund (write “Flood Recovery Fund” in the Memo section) please mail a check to:
Child Care Resource & Referral
Attention: Kristine Stensland
126 Woodlake Drive SE
Rochester, MN 55904
// posted by Tammy Wachter @ 4:58 PM 
