Minn. gov signs bill to pay bridge collapse victims

By BRIAN BAKST Associated Press Writer

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) - Gov. Tim Pawlenty has approved a $38 million package to compensate victims of the Minneapolis bridge collapse.

Pawlenty signed the bill Thursday with dozens of victims on hand, some of them with tears in their eyes. He says the financial aid shows Minnesota is "trying to do the right thing" for victims by offering more money than state law would have allowed.

Everyone who was on the bridge would qualify for up to $400,000. The more seriously injured could get more.

The bridge fell on Aug. 1, killing 13 and injuring 145.