In Raleigh, North Carolina, state Senate Republicans pushed forward a legislative measure on Tuesday aimed at channeling $533 million in additional funds toward disaster recovery efforts. These funds are primarily directed to address the lingering needs following the devastating impacts of Hurricane Helene’s flooding and destruction last fall. Alongside targeting Helene’s effects, the proposal also allocates resources to cover damages from preceding storms.
This legislative endeavor, approved by the Senate’s budget-drafting committee, offers a more extensive plan than the $500 million relief package passed unanimously by the House the previous week, which focused on the aftermath of Helene in western North Carolina.
The Senate’s proposal earmarks an additional $217 million to finalize home reconstruction for victims of Hurricanes Matthew in 2016 and Florence in 2018 in the eastern part of the state. Additionally, it seeks to provide aid to farmers who sustained agricultural losses not only from Helene but also due to drought and tornadoes.
“We feel that we need to move with urgency to get this bill across the finish line,” asserted Sen. Brent Jackson, a chairman on the Senate Appropriations Committee. “Citizens across all our 100 counties faced disasters in 2024.”
A vote on the Senate floor was anticipated Wednesday. In the meantime, House Republicans are also progressing with measures for agricultural support and relief for Matthew and Florence victims. Leaders from both chambers expressed optimism about quickly reaching a consensus on a final supplemental disaster relief bill, which could be finalized as soon as the end of the week and then presented to Democratic Gov. Josh Stein for approval. “Everybody wants the same thing — to get people help,” stated state Rep. John Bell, who has been overseeing the House’s proposed $500 million measure.
Governor Stein recently introduced a more ambitious $1.07 billion plan for Helene relief, aiming to double the funds already set aside or made available by the General Assembly for recovery efforts since late last year. However, Republican legislators are advocating for a more cautious expenditure at present, aiming to optimize federal matching funds and prevent errors experienced after prior storms.
According to state officials, over 100 fatalities were attributed to Helene, which resulted in unprecedented damages and recovery requirements totaling $59.6 billion. More than five months post-Hurricane Helene, over 5,700 households in affected western counties continue to receive temporary housing support, and over 200 public roads remain closed or only partially operational.
There is a consensus between legislative leaders and Gov. Stein that even more financial support for Helene relief will be integrated into the state budget later this year due to the sheer magnitude of the needs, notwithstanding the substantial federal funds flowing in. “The underlying message I want to leave with people is we’re making progress but it’s just a start,” Stein expressed during a meeting with statewide elected officials, emphasizing the long-term challenges and commitment required for Helene recovery.
The Senate’s proposal mirrors the House legislation by prioritizing repairs to homes, private bridges, roads, provision of farmer assistance, and the restoration of small business-related infrastructure. However, it refrains from adopting the House’s $15 million allocation for nonprofit organizations intended to offer grants to small businesses. Stein and fellow Democrats have advocated for direct grants to alleviate the burdens on businesses already laden with loans.
The Senate did make provisions, though not to the extent Governor Stein requested, for local school districts to offer summer school programs. These districts were closed for extended periods due to Helene. The House’s plan did not include such educational initiatives.
Frustration has been brewing among Republican lawmakers regarding delays in the Florence and Matthew housing reconstruction programs, originally created with federal funding under former Gov. Roy Cooper’s administration. Though approximately 3,300 home projects have been completed, state funds are still required to complete 1,000 more in various stages of construction. The delays have been attributed to factors such as the COVID-19 pandemic, increased construction costs, labor shortages, and management errors. The Office of Recovery and Resiliency’s chief operating officer left the position in November.
Both the Senate’s measure and a separate House bill, passed concurrently in another committee on Tuesday, provision the required $217 million. However, both bills impose rigorous monitoring and oversight requirements on the spending. Both contain language that would eventually phase out the Office of Recovery and Resiliency, with the Helene-related home reconstruction now being managed by a new agency under Stein’s administration.
