Dayton says disaster aid price shouldn’t be shocking

DFL Gov. Mark Dayton says he thinks a special session can still take place as tentatively planned on August 24, but he wants Republicans to get over their "sticker shock."

GOP leaders said last week that Dayton's proposed $190 million package of disaster relief for storm and flood-damaged areas of the state was much more than they expected. Dayton told reporters today said that he was disappointed with the Republican response. He also said there was no reason for surprise, given the scope of the disaster.

"Anybody who wants to deny disaster aid to people in Minnesota who suffered a severe disaster is going to be accountable in the court of public opinion more than anywhere else," Dayton said.

Members of a legislative panel are scheduled to meet tomorrow at the Capitol to work on the bill for a special session.

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