Garofalo on Minnesota Supreme Court Ruling on Amendments, Disaster Relief Bill

THE INSIDE SCOOP
8/27/2012 Rep. Patrick Garofalo

- GOVERNOR AND LEGISLATURE REACH QUICK AGREEMENT ON DISASTER RELIEF
- SUPREME COURT RULES THAT CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS TO STAY ON BALLOT AS LEGISLATURE PASSED THEM 
- COMPLETELY RANDOM OBSERVATION- ABBY'S JOKE 
   
DISASTER RELIEF PASSED BY LEGISLATURE, SIGNED BY GOVERNOR IN 1 DAY SPECIAL SESSION

On Friday, a one day special session was held to provide $167 million dollars in disaster relief funding to our state.  Most of the funds will be used on road/bridge replacement in the Duluth and Northern Minnesota area where significant flood damage occurred.  I'm happy that reforms were also included to make sure that these funds have tighter fraud prevention measures.  In addition, loan repayments will now come back to the state and be deposited in a special account dedicated to disaster relief funding.  Believe it or not, previous loans were NOT repaid to the state, even though the state loaned the money.   

BALLOT QUESTIONS STAY AS IS 
The MN Supreme Court ruled today that the two ballot questions before voters this November (Photo ID and Defense of Marriage) will remain on the ballot as the legislature passed them.  The courts found that Secretary of State Mark Ritchie acted illegally when he tried to individually change the title of the ballot questions.  I've included a link to a Kare11 new story about the State Supreme Court decision. http://www.kare11.com/news/article/988591/391/Supreme-Court-keeps-photo-ID-question-on-ballot 

FUN VIDEO  
I sent this link out a couple of years ago and it got a very positive response.  Apparently little kids really like it...and so do I. :-) On occasion people still request this link so here it is.  Perfect for children or grandchildren!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=izibSMAQhEY

ABBY'S JOKE OF THE MONTH...(COURTESY OF HER FRIEND NATALEE)... 

Q - What did the creek name her child?.....

A - brook :-) As always, it is an honor to serve as your State Representative. Have a great final week of summer and stay in touch!