Current:Home > reviewsNorth Carolina lawmakers to vote on initial Helene relief -CapitalWay
North Carolina lawmakers to vote on initial Helene relief
View
Date:2025-04-12 05:59:16
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina General Assembly leaders said Friday that they’re prepared to approve initial disaster relief next week to address Hurricane Helene damage.
House Speaker Tim Moore and Senate leader Phil Berger said in a joint news release that details are still being worked out about exactly what is needed now to facilitate the state’s response.
The Republican-controlled legislature had already scheduled a one-day session for Wednesday.
“It will take time to know the full catastrophic nature of this storm, but the General Assembly stands ready to take the necessary steps to help our neighbors in Western North Carolina,” Berger said in a statement earlier this week.
Damage in the mountains is still being evaluated, so lawmakers expect to this legislation will include just a down payment on the state’s contribution, along with other changes to state law that would provide flexibility to agencies and displaced residents.
For example, within two weeks of the destruction caused by Hurricane Florence in eastern North Carolina in September 2018, lawmakers quickly approved $57 million in disaster relief funds and also waived fees for displaced residents to obtain new driver’s licenses and identification cards. They also passed a bill forgiving schools in the hardest-hit areas up to 20 lost instructional days to ensure workers got paid.
Election law changes also could be considered next week. In 2018, local election officials received flexibility on moving voting places after precincts were damaged by flooding.
After the initial Florence legislation, the General Assembly approved another law a couple of weeks later that spent $400 million immediately and set aside another $450 million for future needs.
Some agencies have already described post-Helene needs. The Department of Public Instruction is seeking up to $166 million, nearly all of it for school repairs and renovations, technology losses and school meal needs.
The state government currently has $4.75 billion set aside in a “rainy-day” fund and $733 million in a disaster response reserve. Other pots of money could be tapped if needed.
Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper would be asked to sign any bill into law. His office didn’t immediately respond Friday to a request for comment. Top Democrats in the House and Senate this week said their caucuses are ready to work with Republicans and Cooper.
“We have to begin planning for the long term recovery, which will take time,” House Minority Leader Robert Reives of Chatham County said in a release.
After Wednesday, the General Assembly is scheduled to reconvene for several days on Nov. 19 and Dec. 11, but lawmakers or Cooper could decide a special session sooner to address Helene is needed.
The state’s top elected leaders — Cooper, Berger and Moore among them — have traveled to the mountains to see the damage firsthand.
“Our hearts are broken for the communities that have been ravaged by Hurricane Helene,” Moore and Berger said. “Despite the destruction, it has been incredible to see how North Carolinians have stepped up to help.”
veryGood! (94)
Related
- A White House order claims to end 'censorship.' What does that mean?
- US wholesale inflation cooled in July in sign that price pressures are continuing to ease
- Twilight Fans Reveal All the Editing Errors You Never Noticed
- KFC expands $5 value menu to include nuggets, drums and more: See what's on the menu
- EU countries double down on a halt to Syrian asylum claims but will not yet send people back
- A jury says a Louisiana regulator is not liable for retirees’ $400 million in Stanford Ponzi losses
- New Massachusetts law bars circuses from using elephants, lions, giraffes and other animals
- What is compassion fatigue? Experts say taking care of others can hurt your mental health.
- 'Malcolm in the Middle’ to return with new episodes featuring Frankie Muniz
- Federal judge orders 100-year-old Illinois prison depopulated because of decrepit condition
Ranking
- Behind on your annual reading goal? Books under 200 pages to read before 2024 ends
- Millions of campaign dollars aimed at tilting school voucher battle are flowing into state races
- Gilmore Girls’ Jared Padalecki Has a Surprising Reaction to Rory's Best Boyfriend Debate
- Colin Jost gives foot update after injury and Olympics correspondent exit
- Highlights from Trump’s interview with Time magazine
- Julianne Hough Reflects on Death of Her Dogs With Ex Ryan Seacrest
- Body of missing woman recovered at Grand Canyon marks 3rd park death in 1 week
- Arizona tribe wants feds to replace electrical transmission line after a 21-hour power outage
Recommendation
Jorge Ramos reveals his final day with 'Noticiero Univision': 'It's been quite a ride'
T.J. Newman's newest thriller is a must-read, and continues her reign as the best in the genre
Hoda Kotb Shares Outlook on Her Dating Life Moving Forward
Almost 20 Years Ago, a Mid-Career Psychiatrist Started Thinking About Climate Anxiety and Mental Health
Jamie Foxx gets stitches after a glass is thrown at him during dinner in Beverly Hills
Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds mark first married couple to top box office in 34 years
US wholesale inflation cooled in July in sign that price pressures are continuing to ease
Red Sox suspend Jarren Duran for two games for directing homophobic slur at fan