![Lawmakers Drawing Up Contingency Funding Plans For Bird Flu](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2015/04/Turkey-Farm.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Lawmakers Drawing Up Contingency Funding Plans For Bird Flu
ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) - Top Minnesota lawmakers say they're developing contingency plans that would allow state agencies to more easily access emergency response dollars if the spread of avian influenza intensifies.
Republican House Speaker Kurt Daudt and Democratic Senate Majority Leader Tom Bakk say they're aiming to give Gov. Mark Dayton's administration flexibility and access to special emergency accounts in case the crisis hitting poultry farms worsens after the Legislature adjourns next month. Bakk says that could entail making the bird flu response eligible for disaster assistance normally associated with severe storms or flooding.
The House agriculture budget bill is on hold while officials determine what money could be needed to fight the outbreak that has cost Minnesota's turkey farms almost 2.6 million birds already.
An initial $900,000 for bird-flu response awaits legislative action.
More From AM 1240 WJON
![Potential Funding in Early Childhood Gives Daycare Providers Hope](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2020/08/Daycare-Center.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Should Minnesotans Be Taking Down Bird Feeders?](http://townsquare.media/site/65/files/2022/04/attachment-bonnie-kittle-y5NyuaIrZpk-unsplash.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Minnesota Lawmakers Want to Change the State Flag and State Seal](http://townsquare.media/site/65/files/2021/08/attachment-RS25004_GettyImages-941473894.jpeg?w=980&q=75)
![Minnesota Lawmakers Pass Police Accountability Package](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2018/12/State-Capitol1.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Minnesota Lawmakers Want Tougher Metal Mining Storage Rules](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2017/02/Boundary-Waters-2.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Minnesota Lawmaker Seeks Tougher Action Against Deer Disease](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2018/12/Deer1.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![From Taxes to School Safety, Legislature’s Work is in Limbo](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2018/04/School.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Dayton, GOP at Still Odds as Legislature Presses Ahead](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2016/06/Governor-Dayton.png?w=980&q=75)
![Minnesota Lawmakers’ To-Do List is Long But Time is Short](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2017/08/Capitol-Building-Minnesota-WJON-Stock.jpg?w=980&q=75)