State Lawmakers Ask Federal Lawmakers To Pick Up Full Superstorm Sandy Tab
Lawmakers in states hit hard by Superstorm Sandy are demanding that the federal government pick the tab up, not just for the emergency power and public transportation but for the public infrastructure as well.
New York Democratic Sen. Charles E. Schumer said the disaster wasn’t isolated to just New York, New Jersey or Connecticut; but rather, it was a national disaster. He said the federal government and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) should provide assistance to the region as much as they can.
Schumer said he was looking to ask Washington to pay the city and state back the whole cost of repairing and recovering every part of the disaster.
As it stands, FEMA current pays approximately 75 percent of the costs for emergency work like removing debris and rebuilding/repairing public infrastructures like roads, transit stations and buildings. The rest of the bill is paid for by state and local governments.
Congress did, however, allow the federal government to pay the total cost of repairing/rebuilding public infrastructure that was close by the World Trade Center after the 9-11 terrorist attacks as well as areas hit hard by Hurricanes Wilma, Rita and Katrina.
While the full damage cost to the public infrastructure is unknown at this time, Congress may decide on the issue in a lame-duck assembly after the elections on Tuesday.
According to Schumer and Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, also a New York democratic senator, the money that was approved on Thursday will fund both public transportation and emergency power for 10 days. This includes emergency repairs to power lines and plants, providing additional buses and drivers’ overtime hours.
Robert Menendez and Frank R. Lautenberg, two Democratic senators from New Jersey, are also asking the federal government to pay the whole amount, saying the scope’s disaster is far-reaching.
Citizens Against Government Waste President Tom Schatz said it was difficult to debate against assisting folks in times where it is of great importance. However, he was worried Congress would try to put other measures onto the disaster aid bill. Schatz said when Congress spends money for disaster relief, they generally add on items that are not related to the issue at hand.
Schatz said he understood the arguments being made and doesn’t see why the federal government shouldn’t pick up the whole tab.
However, Steve Ellis with Taxpayers for Common Sense said a request like this needs to be reviewed carefully.
He said the American taxpayer full understands and sympathizes with those who have lost things in Superstorm Sandy. However, blanket federal spending often leads to rebuilding and reconstruction that isn’t in the best interest of the community, state or federal government. Ellis said while the federal government should help whenever possible, it shouldn’t squander the taxpayers’ dollars.
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