Latest news with #DisasterRecoveryActof2025
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
White House is evaluating the future of FEMA. After Helene, NC governor has recommended fixes.
Gov. Josh Stein signed the Disaster Recovery Act of 2025 (Part 1) into law. (Photo via the Governor's Press Office) Under the Trump administration, the future of the U.S. disaster management agency is far from certain. The White House has established a council to study the future of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The president has on multiple occasions said he would like to see it abolished altogether. And when the interim head of the agency told Congress earlier this month that he did not want to see it eliminated, he was swiftly ousted. North Carolina's Gov. Josh Stein has made it clear he'd like to see changes to FEMA, too. On Friday, he put those thoughts in a formal letter to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security — outlining a series of recommendations as western North Carolina continues to recover from Hurricane Helene. 'There is no doubt that FEMA could be better and faster,' Stein wrote. 'But let us improve it, not abolish it. As governor of a state vulnerable to hurricanes, flooding and other extreme weather, I know we cannot afford for FEMA to be eliminated.' Among Stein's suggestions: create a block grant program to let the agency get money out the door quickly and easily. States could submit pre-approved plans ahead of disasters in order to track spending. And he wants FEMA money to immediately be able to go toward permanent repairs. In almost all cases, aid from the agency can only be used for temporary or pre-storm condition repairs. As previously reported by NC Newsline, Stein's administration asked FEMA earlier this year for money to build permanent housing. It was rejected, with a FEMA official citing the fact that 'alternative housing options in North Carolina exist.' The governor also recommended that the agency move away from reimbursement programs. FEMA's current model forces 'cash-strapped local governments to put up funding' for projects, Stein wrote, slowing recovery and often leaving those governments in financial straits. And he recommended that the agency make it easier for individuals and households to apply for aid. FEMA should consider a 'common application' that allows a person to more easily apply to aid across multiple programs and departments, he wrote. As it rebuilds from the deadliest storm in state history, North Carolina has at times found itself at odds with FEMA under the new administration. The agency denied a request to extend full reimbursement on debris cleanup earlier this year; the state has appealed that decision. Stein is not the first North Carolina official to recommend fixes for FEMA. U.S. Rep. Chuck Edwards, a Republican who represents the region hardest hit by Helene, has sent a list of proposals of his own. But Edwards later cancelled a planned press conference after the White House said it needed more time to review his recommendations, the Asheville Citizen Times reported. Among Edwards' recommendations: forgiving loans to families and small businesses, loosening building codes and reimbursement for property owners and the state. And last week, more than 80 lawmakers from both parties — including Edwards and North Carolina Senator Thom Tillis — signed a letter calling on FEMA to begin spending money already approved by Congress for the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities program. As with Stein, the letter called for improved programming from the agency. While the program 'has room for improvement,' the lawmakers wrote, FEMA and Congress should work together 'to improve the application review and funding distribution process to more effectively reduce the costs disasters pose to our communities, economies, and livelihoods.'
Yahoo
20-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Gov. Stein signs Part 1 of Disaster Recovery Act into law
RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCT) — North Carolina Governor Josh Stein signed the Disaster Recovery Act Part 1 into law Wednesday, Mar. 19, 2025. 'This funding is a promising step forward in the long road to recovery for Western North Carolina. I want to thank the General Assembly for working together to pass this critical aid package to help our neighbors rebuilding after Helene,' Governor Stein said. 'But, we are nowhere near done. I will keep pushing to ensure Western North Carolina is not forgotten. The Disaster Recovery Act of 2025 Part 1 includes $524 million in total aid for Western North Carolina. The bill provides $200 million for North Carolina farmers who have experienced crop losses due to Hurricane Helene, $120 million for a CDBG-DR Home Reconstruction and Repair program and $55 million for local government infrastructure grants to help small businesses. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
19-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
NC House approves Disaster Recovery Act for hurricane relief in Western Carolina
RALEIGH, NC (WNCT) — Tuesday, Mar. 18, 2025, legislators from the North Carolina House of Representatives approved the fourth-round of hurricane relief measures. The 'Disaster Recovery Act of 2025,' House Bill 47, allocates $524 million for the hurricane relief efforts in Western North Carolina, which brings more than $1.4 billion total relief funding from the General Assembly across all four legislative packages. Key funding provisions in House Bill 47 include: $200 million to Helene-specific crop-loss and farm restoration $120 million for rebuilding and repairing homes $100 million for repairing private roads and bridges $55 million for small business infrastructure grants $20 million to remove millions of cubic yards of debris $10 million to support essential volunteer organizations $10 million for volunteer fire departments $9 million for learning recovery for students in Helene-affected counties $4 million for travel and tourism marketing $217 million to close out home rebuilding operations in Eastern NC $110 million to assist farmers with non-Helene-related crop loss 'We are proud to have worked alongside the Senate to craft and approve this vital relief legislation that continues Western North Carolina's recovery from Hurricane Helene,' Helene Select Committee Co-Chair Dudley Greene said. Alongside hurricane relief, the bill includes $217 million to complete rebuilding homes in Eastern North Carolina and nearly $110 million in state-wide relief for farmers in addition to Helene-specific agriculture funding. 'This bill is a needed helping hand to farmers across our state who have fallen victim to the devastating impact of natural disasters,' House Agriculture and Environment Committee Senior Chair Jimmy Dixon said. The final bill includes additional education funding for Western North Carolina and increased funding for farm relief across the state. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
26-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
NC House passes $500 million Helene Relief Bill
RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCT) — The North Carolina House of Representatives passed House Bill 47, known as the 'Disaster Recovery Act of 2025,' with strong support Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2025. House Bill 47 allocates $500 million for Hurricane Helene relief efforts in Western North Carolina, bringing total relief funding from the General Assembly to more than $1.1 billion. Key funding provisions include: $140 million for rebuilding and repairing homes $150 million to assist farmers and restore farmland $100 million for repairing private roads and bridges $55 million for small business infrastructure grants $20 million to remove millions of cubic yards of debris $10 million to support essential volunteer organizations $10 million for volunteer fire departments $10 million for rental assistance $5 million for travel and tourism marketing 'Ensuring Western North Carolina recovers swiftly and responsibly remains our top priority in the House. For that reason, House Bill 47 is the first legislation voted on and approved this session,' Speaker Destin Hall said. 'I am proud of the work the House Select Committee on Helene Recovery, our Western NC delegation and others accomplished to pass this crucial legislation, and I'm encouraged by the overwhelming support it received today.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
