NC lawmakers brainstorm more Helene recovery ideas, funding
RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) – A $500 million relief bill dedicated to helping western North Carolina is heading to the state Senate next week after being passed by the House.
'We need it, we just need it, federal money is not flowing as much as we want, state money is not coming as fast as anybody would want,' Senator Julie Mayfield (D-Buncombe) said.
But already, lawmakers say it's not enough.
'I don't think there's any question we'll have to fund more, the question is going to be at what point in time, and then obviously the details of how much and where,' Senator Phil Berger (R-Rockingham) said.
PREVIOUS: Another $500M for Hurricane Helene relief in North Carolina passes key hurdle
This week, senators filed a bill to allocate $150 million specifically for housing needs in hurricane-impacted areas. That bill is already in a Senate committee.
Secretary of the Department of Transportation Joey Hopkins says they also need cash flow to repair roads that were demolished.
'Our biggest challenge overall is the entire scale or scope of this storm,' Hopkins said in a House Oversight Committee meeting.
He says they haven't seen damage like this since Hurricane Florence back in 2018. That cost the DOT about $250 million in damages.
RELATED: Bill filed in NC Senate seeks $150 million for housing efforts in Helene-impacted areas
'This storm, we're projected to spend nearly $5 billion to repair the public transportation infrastructure,' Hopkins said.
For that, though, state lawmakers are also hoping for help from the federal government.
'The governor and I did send a letter to the US DOT and others this past Monday requesting them to fully fund our repairs,' Hopkins said.
Senator Berger says the $500 million relief bill is being fast tracked through the Senate. It will be in committee next week and then potentially on the floor the following week.
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