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Gov. Tim Pawlenty and President George W. Bush are to be commended for acting with a palpable sense of urgency to put the bulky machinery of federal relief in motion even before the flood waters had receded. But federal aid, capped at $28,600 per household, will not be sufficient to put families back on their feet, much less rebuild roads and bridges, restore water and sewer services, and begin to get farmers, storekeepers and other businesses back in operation and their employees back on the job.
Area representatives are unanimous in their call for a special session of the state Legislature to deal with the aftermath of the disaster, but Pawlenty has equivocated, indicating through underlings that he will call the Legislature back only on his terms — for a one-day session, with all business pre-determined and pre-arranged.
We cannot fathom the governor’s intentions. His department heads have made it clear that, without additional appropriations and authorization from the Legislature, their departments are hamstrung in aiding Minnesotans in distress, but the governor has signaled that the resources of the state will be put to work for the benefit of its citizens only on his terms.
This is unacceptable.
This year, it is southeast Minnesota left reeling, but in other years, in other seasons it has been Mankato, St. Peter, Moorhead and East Grand Forks that felt the devastation of Minnesota’s wild weather.
The only prediction that we can safely make is that our region, our communities will not be the last and, hard as it is to believe today, probably will not even be the hardest hit.
Minnesota deserves — Minnesota needs — more than a piecemeal approach to disaster relief. It is time for the Legislature to not only deal with the immediate crisis, but put in place the legislative mechanisms that provide fast, effective relief to be brought to disaster-stricken Minnesotans whenever, wherever lives are disrupted and homes and businesses are destroyed. These solutions should be discussed and developed with all due deliberation by elected representatives in open session — not predetermined behind closed doors to fit the political aims of the moment.
We need the governor to call the Legislature into session with no strings attached to deal not only with the immediate crisis precipitated by last weekend’s weather, but measures that anticipate the crisis to come, and to address the state’s ongoing infrastructure crisis, so tragically highlighted by the collapse of the I-35W bridge less than a month ago.
Minnesota needs real
solutions. The time for the quick fix is far behind us. Let’s take the time that’s needed to get it done right this time.
The Winona Daily News editorial board also includes publisher Rusty Cunningham and editor Darrell Ehrlick. To comment, call 453-3522 or send e-mail to letters@winonadailynews.com.
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