spot_imgspot_img

Year in Review: Helene’s $53B in damage draws multiple aid requests

spot_img

(The Center Square) – Hurricane Helene aid for North Carolinians has poured in, plenty in goods and gifts, and a controversial amount in governmental fiscal strength.

The storm that killed 103 and caused an estimated $53 billion in damage is arguably the state’s worst natural disaster. Politicians have taken action, made pledges, and been roundly criticized for not doing enough.

That’s in Raleigh and Washington.

As the 12th week of recovery closed on Thursday, state lawmakers have passed legislation for more than $1.1 billion in relief to western North Carolina. Various federal legislation packages have requested billions more.

North Carolina

The Disaster Recovery Act of 2024 passed Oct. 9. The $273 million package was mostly to different state agencies and local governments who can then use the money to help those most affected. It included $250 million for the state and local match of federal disaster assistance programs; $16 million for the Department of Public Instruction for school nutrition employee compensation; $5 million for the State Board of Elections Administration changes; and $2 million to the Office of State Budget and Management for grants.

The bill also included assistance in education; agriculture and environmental quality; transportation; retirements; taxes; the Department of Health and Human Services; and some election-related changes.

The Disaster Recovery Act of 2024 – Part II was passed Oct. 24. This legislation provided more than $877 million toward relief from Helene, and another $40 million for four storms. The largest portions were $100 million to the Local Government Commission, $100 million to the Department of Environmental Quality, and $75 million for state and local match of federal disaster assistance programs.

The third package, Disaster Relief-3/Budget/Various Law Changes, required a veto override to get through and has since been litigated. The legislation is 132 pages, the first 13 of which are related to Helene and the remainder for the “various law changes” that include shifting authorities from elected offices. The latter was the sticking point.

The package included $252 million in Helene relief, bringing the state’s total to just more than $1.1 billion. It also appropriated another $50 million to help the Office of Recovery and Resiliency remain open.

Cooper made a 99-page request for $3.9 billion to the Legislature in October. The Republican majorities indicated, and have followed through on, paying installments amounts.

Federal

Federal aid has already come through agencies in time and resources, such as the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Troops have been sent, including National Guardsmen from other states.

A clearly defined package from Congress, however, on Thursday before Christmas remained wanted at the Beltway but yet to be delivered. At one point, it was meshed with a continuing resolution to keep the government open to March. In others, it’s been pitched by members of Congress and President Joe Biden.

In mid-November, Biden’s administration gave a $98 billion proposal that included not only Helene but a number of other natural disasters. The help was for Hurricanes Helene and Milton, devastating fires in Maui, and tornados in Mississippi, Iowa and Oklahoma.

The fiscal breakdown was $40 billion for the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Disaster Relief Fund, $23.5 billion for farmers and rural development, $4 billion for water infrastructure and $2.2 billion for Small Business Administration loans.

Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper and some members of North Carolina’s congressional delegation, about the same time as Biden’s letter to House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., made a pitch for $25.57 billion. He was joined by Republican U.S. Sens. Thom Tillis and Ted Budd, and Republican U.S. Rep. Chuck Edwards.

Cooper’s request aimed for $7.41 billion from the U.S. Department of Transportation and FEMA; nearly $6 billion from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development; $1.75 billion from FEMA for the Community Disaster Loan Program; $1.67 billion from the U.S. Department of Agriculture; and $1.23 billion from the Small Business Administration from the Home and Personal Property Disaster Loan Program.

DON’T MISS OUT

Be the first to know about the latest news, giveaways, events, and updates from The Black Chronicle!

We don’t spam! Read our privacy policy for more info.

spot_img
spot_img

Hot this week

African and Caribbean Nations Call for Reparations for Slave Trade, Propose Global Fund

Nations across Africa and the Caribbean, deeply impacted by...

Health care company agrees to pay $22.5 million to settle claims of over billing

A health care company agreed to pay nearly $22.5...

Sports betting expert offers advice on paying taxes for gambling winnings

(The Center Square) – Tax season is underway, and...

Entertainment district benefits don’t outweigh the cost, economists say

(The Center Square) — Weeks later, after more details...

Business association ‘disappointed’ by WA L&I’s proposed workers comp rate hike

(The Center Square) – The Association of Washington Business...

Trump Allies Eye Cuts to FDIC, Experts Warn of Economic Disaster

As President-elect Donald Trump prepares to take office, reports...

Ohio Parents’ Bill of Rights awaits DeWine’s signature

(The Center Square) – It took late-night work on...

Adams signs ‘historic’ housing legislation

(The Center Square) – Mayor Eric Adams signed several...

Landowners still at odds with Louisiana energy project

(The Center Square) − The Louisiana Public Service Commission...

Defense to resume after holiday for Madigan bribery, racketeering trial

(The Center Square) – Jurors are off until next...

Tax policy committee finalizes bill recommendations for 2025

(The Center Square) – In its final report, the...

Bonta secures $625K for Californians denied housing over pandemic rental debt

(The Center Square) – Attorney General Rob Bonta announced...

More like this
Related

Trump Allies Eye Cuts to FDIC, Experts Warn of Economic Disaster

As President-elect Donald Trump prepares to take office, reports...

Washington’s operating budget could reach $87 billion by the 2027-2029 biennium

(The Center Square) – In October it was revealed...

Ohio Parents’ Bill of Rights awaits DeWine’s signature

(The Center Square) – It took late-night work on...

Adams signs ‘historic’ housing legislation

(The Center Square) – Mayor Eric Adams signed several...