04/15/24 - 66 New Stories - REAL Environmental & Conservation Leadership In PA: http://tinyurl.com/msuwtctm
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House OKs Flood Recovery Package To Provide More Than $67.6 Million In Assistance
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The House passed a package of five flood recovery bills to provide more than $67.6 million in funding for flood recovery projects for highways, bridges, railroads, small business and for stream clearance projects.
The Senate passed a package of eight flood recovery bills last November that are still pending in House committees.
The House bills include:
-- House Bill 2242 (Baker-R-Tioga) to provide $67.7 million for the repair of Commonwealth highways damaged by Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee in 2011. A summary and House Fiscal Note are available.
-- House Bill 2245 (Bobak-R-Columbia) establishing the Flood Disaster Railroad Assistance Project List totaling $2.6 million. A summary and House Fiscal Note are available.-- House Bill 1916 (Millard-R-Columbia) providing for an itemized list of public improvement projects for flood protection and flood damage repair. A summary and House Fiscal Note are available. -- House Bill 2077 (Masser-R-Columbia) establishing a $15 million small business flood relief program. A summary and House Fiscal Note are available. -- House Bill 2244 (Major-R-Susquehanna) establishing the Watershed Disaster Reconstruction Account with $1.3 million for the payment of the state's share to secure NRCS funding for stream restoration. A summary and House Fiscal Note are available. Another bill-- House Bill 1913 (Culver-R-Northumberland) allowing local taxing bodies to adjust real estate taxes for properties substantially affected by the flood-- was passed by the House last week.
"Although flooding took place back in the late summer and early fall of 2011, the cleanup following the storms has been overwhelming and is still continuing in many areas throughout the northeast region of the state," said Rep. Matt Baker. "My legislation will help provide the funding needed to address many of the highways that were damaged during those historic storms."
“The damage to our streams and riverbanks from last year’s flooding event was significant. House Bill 2244 would provide funding for stream restoration and measures to mitigate small stream threats to both life and property,” said Rep. Sandra Major (R-Susquehanna). “With passage in the House, my legislation is now poised to be voted on in the state Senate along with a growing list of legislative measures designed to help heal those communities that received the greatest amount of damage from the 2011 storms.”
“Columbia County was among the hardest hit in flood damages after Tropical Storm Lee last September. Our community pulled together to deal with the hardship, but there are actions that can be taken to help protect from future disasters,” said Rep. David Millard (R-Columbia). “As much as the state is in the position to do so, I believe it’s the state’s duty to responsibly allow for funding to help. This legislation allows for the most fiscally responsible action to move forward on these needed projects.”
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4/9/2012 |
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