Though he may be questioned on a number of other issues, Gov. Jesse Ventura did a good thing Thursday in calling a special session and agreeing to a $31.3 million flood relief package for northwest Minnesota.

There’s no question the residents of Roseau, Ada and other flood-stricken cities of northwest Minnesota need it.

Though it didn’t get the national headlines of the Red River flood of 1997, since the Grand Forks area had a larger population, this summer’s flooding in northwest Minnesota was just as damaging to Roseau. And for Ada residents, who seemingly get hit with a disaster every year, the additional flooding was another nail in the coffin.

The $31.3 million in flood relief, no question, will make things even more difficult for the new state legislature, which will likely need to deal with another deficit.

But additional deficit is much easier to deal with than flood damage with no financial relief in sight, which is what may have happened if Roseau residents had not received flood aid.

Thanks to Ventura and others, Roseau residents can breathe easier now.