Pawlenty and lawmakers agree on flood-relief package

Gov. Tim Pawlenty and legislators have tentatively agreed on an up to $80 million flood-relief package that they will take up in a special session.

The package will be the start of a plan to aid southern Minnesota areas hit by recent flooding and other communities struck by tornadoes earlier this year. The Legislature will consider the package in a special session that has yet to be set. Pawlenty is waiting for a federal disaster declaration before setting a date.

Pawlenty and legislative leaders planned a special session several weeks ago. They said the session would take no more than a day and focus on getting flood relief to the areas.