(The Center Square) – Amid Homeland Security’s shakeup in leadership, its embattled Federal Emergency Management Agency has 14 days to show better compliance with a previous order to reinstate $200 million in canceled funds for North Carolina.
The money is within the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities disaster mitigation program, often called BRIC.
“FEMA tried to cancel $200 million for North Carolina,” said first-term Democratic Attorney General Jeff Jackson. “We took them to court, we won, and then they defied the court order and refused to pay. So we just took them back to court – and won again. FEMA has 14 days to show the court they are complying. The clock is ticking, and we are ready to do this again if necessary.”
In the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts, Judge Richard Stearns said FEMA has complied in part with the summary judgment order issued Dec. 11. He also wrote “several aspects” remain unimplemented.
Stearns acknowledged staffing, a budget freeze and a new secretary of Homeland Security will soon be coming on board. He wrote that “reasonable steps” can be taken and asked for 14- and 21-day status reports.
