North Carolina Governor’s Urgent Request for Hurricane Helene Recovery Funding
In a bold move, North Carolina Governor Josh Stein urged state legislators on Monday to double their current spending on recovery efforts for Hurricane Helene. The governor emphasized the need for immediate action to prevent further business closures, housing delays, and academic setbacks for students. Addressing the press in a county heavily impacted by the historic flooding, Governor Stein proposed a $1.07 billion funding request to be approved by the Republican-controlled General Assembly without delay, rather than waiting for the upcoming two-year budget starting in July.
During a news conference at a food bank in Mills River, Governor Stein stressed the urgency of providing these funds in the first half of the year to help affected individuals rebuild their lives. The proposed funding includes grants for struggling businesses, assistance for home repairs and reconstruction, cleanup of agricultural debris, repair of private infrastructure, and compensation for local governments. Additionally, funds are allocated for summer school programs in districts that experienced significant disruptions following Hurricane Helene’s impact last September.
Governor Stein highlighted the importance of these resources in creating a safer, more resilient western North Carolina, emphasizing the need for immediate action to address the ongoing challenges. While the state legislature has already allocated substantial funds for relief efforts in the past, Governor Stein’s latest proposal aims to further support the recovery process. The new House Speaker, Destin Hall, expressed a commitment to fast-tracking bipartisan legislation to secure early-session funding for Hurricane Helene relief.
Moving forward, Governor Stein’s proposal is expected to undergo review by the Senate, with plans for legislative consideration in the coming weeks. Despite previous funding efforts, state officials recognize the ongoing need for additional resources to support the recovery and rebuilding efforts. With over 100 reported deaths and extensive damage to homes and infrastructure, North Carolina continues to face significant challenges in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene.
The governor’s request for increased funding serves as a critical step towards addressing the immediate needs of communities affected by the disaster, signaling a collaborative effort between state officials and legislative leaders to support recovery and resilience in North Carolina.
The urgency to utilize funds currently held in two reserves underscores the need for swift action. A sum of $150 million is being requested for a program aimed at facilitating home reconstruction, repairs, and buyouts. The goal is to kickstart these initiatives promptly, even as similar housing assistance funds from Washington are pending, a process that may potentially span a year. According to Stein’s proposal, the state program could benefit a minimum of 225 out of an estimated 5,100 homes requiring rebuilding.
In addition to the housing program, Stein is also advocating for $150 million to be allocated towards two business grant programs. These initiatives are structured to offer financial support of up to $75,000 to companies that have endured significant sales and economic setbacks, as well as physical damages. Stein emphasized that for struggling small businesses, taking on additional debt is not a viable solution.
During a recent special session, Tennessee lawmakers greenlit Governor Bill Lee’s comprehensive $470 million aid package, primarily targeting communities affected by the devastation caused by Helene in the state’s northeast region. The package encompasses provisions to help local governments offset loan interest on recovery expenses, bolster agricultural and business recovery efforts, facilitate disaster-related unemployment assistance, and facilitate the reconstruction of a severely damaged high school.
Contributions to this report were made by Associated Press writer Jonathan Mattise in Nashville, Tennessee.
