Senators promise flood aid package

BILL O ’ BOYLE

boboyle@timesleader.com

HARRISBURG – Five state senators said Monday they will introduce a comprehensive, bipartisan legislative package aimed at bringing financial assistance to those affected by recent flooding.

Sens. John Gordner, R-Berwick; Lisa Baker, R-Lehman Township; Gene Yaw, R-Loyalsock Township; John Yudichak, D-Plymouth Township and John Blake, D-Archbald, unveiled the seven-piece package at the state capitol that combines financial assistance, infrastructure funding and tax breaks for affected areas.

Among the bills announced are measures to:

• Establish a restricted account in the state treasury to provide additional funds to individuals and families based on income eligibility and damage losses.

• Authorize $250 million for the flood-related highway and bridge rehabilitation projects.

• Allow local governments to abate real estate taxes for properties substantially affected by the flood.

• Authorize a county-by-county list of highway, bridges, flood control and hazard mitigation projects that need rehabilitation.

• Give the secretary of education the authority to waive certain requirements for public and non-public schools that were substantially affected by the flood.

“This package of bills begins the process for Pennsylvania to supplement the aid provided by the federal government and will provide valuable resources to those heavily impacted by the flooding,” Yudichak said.

Baker, who chairs the Senate Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee, said she is also planning to conduct several committee hearings on issues ranging from creating a state disaster assistance fund to the utilities’ response to prolonged power outages after Tropical Storm Irene.

“We have a bipartisan commitment to helping our residents and local officials get back on their feet,” Baker said. “There is widespread damage, so we need to have a good plan in place to jumpstart our recovery effort.”

According to Baker’s office, the legislation she will be introducing is called the Weather Disaster Relief Act. It will be funded by using surplus funds from 2010-11.

If enacted, families will have needed to apply for federal assistance, received the maximum grant and still have eligible losses. The state program would offer a $10,000 maximum grant.

Baker said state government “will never be the ultimate insurer.”

“But when disaster strikes, it is a core function of government to protect lives and property, restore public safety and infrastructure, and provide victims with the necessities of life when an emergency robs them of everything they need and value,” she said.