Lawmakers, Governor Authorize $7.5M For Rebuilding After Kansas Twisters

Wednesday, June 6th 2007, 9:29 pm

By: News On 6

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) _ Gov. Kathleen Sebelius and legislative leaders authorized $7.5 million Wednesday to help rebuild this tornado-damaged state, where deadly twisters killed 12 people and leveled a farming town last month.

The funding is part of a $32 million tornado relief package approved by lawmakers last month.

The governor and lawmakers set aside $5 million to cover cleanup costs, repair infrastructure and provide direct assistance to individuals in six counties. Most of the funds are earmarked for Kiowa County and the town of Greensburg, which was decimated by a tornado that ripped through the county May 4.

An additional $2.5 million will fund a new program designed to assist Kiowa County businesses, including Kiowa County Memorial Hospital and Iroquois Center, which provides mental health services.

``I know it will be a big relief for the city and county, the city of Greensburg and Kiowa County,'' said House Minority Leader Dennis McKinney, a Greensburg Democrat who lost his home to the tornado.

The $5 million set aside by the council is designed to attract as much as $45 million more in federal funds. The federal government typically covers 75 percent of disaster relief costs, but state legislators are hoping to receive 90 percent.

Scott Brown, a farmer who operates an auctioneering and real estate business in Greensburg, said the relief package represents ``an excellent start,'' but it won't be enough to rebuild the town.

Brown's office was among the few buildings spared by the twister. He's opened it up to six other businesses, so they have a place to work and make telephone calls.

``I think most of the business people _ I would say the largest percentage of them _ have every intention of staying, but intentions don't pay the bills,'' he said. ``I hope there's more to come.''

Sebelius said that if the aid package proves too small, legislators can expand it when they reconvene in January.