The North Dakota Senate Democratic Legislative Report

Senate Democratic Caucus

End of Week Report (Week 15)

April 16, 2009



Across the state, the melting snow is revealing a trail of damage left behind from the snowfall and flood waters. The damage includes washed out gravel roads, split pavement, damaged bridges, ruined fences and animal carcasses strewn about. Last week lawmakers received reports about the total cost of all this damage and what can be done to help. The State Department of Emergency Services estimates that the flooding damage could top $200 million. In addition, the department is estimating there was $34 million in extra snow removal costs and an additional $50 million in infrastructure damage caused by the snow. Department of Transportation Director Francis Ziegler told lawmakers road damage assessments are increasing by the day, though he declined to give an estimate because of the fluid nature of the situation. He said this is the first time Interstate-94 has had to be shut down due to concerns of flooding. Adj. General David Sprynczynatyk said the North Dakota National Guard is assisting with road repairs for emergency routes in areas where contractors are busy or unavailable. State Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring told lawmakers his department is looking to help ranchers clear away dead animals at no cost to them. This needs to be done quickly—before the sitting carcasses become a public health issue.

The federal government will assist on flood disaster costs, providing 90 percent of the cost of cleanup through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The federal government is stepping up in other ways. Since President Barack Obama declared 30 counties in North Dakota eligible for disaster relief, individuals can receive federal assistance to defray the costs of disaster-related housing expenses, household repairs, low-interest loans from the Small Business Administration, and funding to safeguard against future disasters. FEMA has also set up disaster resource centers across the state.

There are four FEMA disaster resource centers in the state. They are at the following locations:

Bismarck: Gateway Mall, 2700 State St. Suite F5, Bismarck, ND, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday

Fargo: Cass County Courthouse, 101 2nd Ave. South, Fargo, ND, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday

Linton: 101 1st St. NE, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday

Other sites are scheduled to open in Wahpeton, Valley City, Lamoure and Jamestown.

FEMA can offer specific assistance to individuals in four areas:

Housing
--Temporary housing for flood victims

--Flood damage repair to existing homes

--Replacement of homes

Assistance for other flood-related damages including:

--Medical and dental costs

--Funeral and burial costs

--Clothing and tools for cleanup efforts

--Moving and storage expenses for disaster victims

--Vehicle damage compensation for disaster-related damage

Disaster Unemployment Benefits

--Benefits for those who lost their job or work time due to the disaster

--Extend up to 26 weeks

--Available to self-employed individuals affected by the disaster including farmers and

business owners

Tax deduction

--Deduction for disaster-related loss if the amount is greater than 10 percent of income

--Filing deadline extended to May 15

--Expedited processing and refunds for disaster victims

You can register online for assistance at www.fema.gov/assistance/register.shtm or by calling 1-(800)-621-3362.

For more information on SBA Disaster Assistance Loans, you can call the SBA at 1-(800)-659-2955 or online at http://www.sba.gov/services/disasterassistance.

In other matters:

HB 1012, the human services budget, came out of the Senate with some major victories for long-term care providers and elderly care facility patients who have their care paid for by Medicaid. Working on the bill in the Appropriations process, Sen. Tim Mathern, (D-11 Fargo) and Sen. John Warner, (D-4 Ryder) led an effort to get more funding for long-term care facilities and in-home caretakers. The bill, which would have originally given these groups a 6 percent funding increase, came out of the Senate with a 7 percent increase. It also guaranteed a raise to workers in this industry. On the same bill, Mathern successfully pushed for an increase in the personal care allowance for patients whose facility stay is paid for by Medicaid. This is the amount of their own money that they’re allowed to keep per month (the rest is turned over to pay for their care). The bill, coming out of the Senate, raises this monthly allowance from $60 to $95.