04/22/24 - 117 New Stories - REAL Environmental & Conservation Leadership In PA: http://tinyurl.com/9bh4zbtr
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Northeast House Members Announce 4-Bill Disaster Package
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Representatives Eddie Day Pashinski (D-Luzerne), Phyllis Mundy (D-Luzerne), Gerald Mullery (D-Luzerne) and Mike Carroll (D-Monroe) Monday announced they will introduce a four-bill package that would make disaster assistance available to individuals, businesses and other organizations.
“The devastating flooding we have endured has disrupted lives and damaged property in the northeast and throughout this state,” Rep. Pashinski said. “We have the opportunity to help many people in this moment of need by tapping the state’s massive surplus to provide low-interest loans and grants.”
Rep. Pashinski’s bill would direct the state’s surplus into a new Flood Damage Minimization Fund. It would provide low-interest loans to businesses for disaster assistance and individuals not eligible for PEMA or FEMA assistance.
A loan of up to $40,000 could only be used to move furnaces, hot water heaters, washers, dryers and electrical panels to a higher level than is likely to be flooded in the future. The fund would offer a second loan of up to $80,000 to restore a home or business to pre-disaster conditions. Both loans would have a 1.5 percent interest rate.
“By taking these immediate steps we can help people and businesses that can’t get FEMA assistance or get it at a lower interest rate, which enables people to get their lives back to normal and business to keep and protect jobs,” Rep. Pashinski said. “Plus, there’s no long-term cost to the state and more help would be available for future disaster victims.
“With winter fast approaching and with more than half a billion dollars in surplus funds it is incumbent on us to move quickly to access these funds and help these flood victims,” he said.
The second bill, sponsored by Mundy, would help individuals and families with approved FEMA or PEMA applications but are still waiting for the assistance.
“We have heard heartbreaking stories of people who have been approved but enduring long waiting periods before receiving the assistance,” Rep. Mundy said. “This legislation would allow them to get an interest-free loan for 60 days and only 1 percent interest afterwards.
“At no long-term cost to the state, we can help people begin the process of getting their lives back together and let contractors start to rebuild homes and businesses,” she said.
Rep. Carroll is sponsoring the third bill, which would appropriate a portion of the state surplus to provide additional funding for the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program.
“This successful program helps local governments and nonprofits to take a wide range of steps to reduce the impact of future disasters,” Rep. Carroll said. “The recent flood reminds us of the distraction that natural disasters can cause and investing in this proven program will support local communities and citizens as they try to protect themselves from future disasters.”
Rep. Carroll said the program funds numerous activities including acquiring properties, moving buildings or altering structures.
The fourth bill, sponsored by Rep. Mullery, would amend the Pennsylvania Constitution to allow the Legislature to enact laws that would provide special aid to individuals, businesses and nonprofits after the U.S. president had declared a disaster or emergency.
“In the aftermath of a disaster or emergency it is critical for state government to respond rapidly so people and businesses can begin recovering. This bill would make it easier for the Legislature to take action quickly.”
Rep. Mullery said the bill would require a two-thirds vote of the Legislature to appropriate the funding to major disaster relief.
NewsClips: Lawmakers Introduce Disaster Relief Bills
PA Disaster Plan Would Fill Gap
NE House Members To Introduce Disaster Assistance Package New Bills Seek To Speed Flood Aid |
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10/24/2011 |
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