Durbin, Obama: Illinois Delegation Supports Request to Increase Federal Cost Share for Disaster Assistance
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Printable FormatFor Immediate Release
Contact: Christina Mulka (Durbin) or Michael Ortiz (Obama)
Durbin, Obama: Illinois Delegation Supports Request to Increase Federal Cost Share for Disaster Assistance
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Following the historic levels of flooding in the Midwest, U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Barack Obama (D-IL) joined members of the Illinois Congressional Delegation in supporting Governor Rod Blagojevich's request to increase the federal cost share for all categories of Public Assistance as well as for U.S. Department of Agriculture Emergency Conservation and Watershed programs to 90%. Additionally, the Governor requested, and the Congressional Delegation supports, a 100% federal reimbursement to the state for emergency protective measures.
"Near-record crest levels in Illinois have caused millions of dollars in damage to roads, rail lines, bridges, dams, levees, water and sewer systems, government buildings, and other public infrastructure," wrote the Illinois Members. "We thank you for your decision to establish a 90%-10% federal-state cost share for emergency protective measures, Category B under the Public Assistance Program. We respectfully request that additional federal support is made available to help with rebuilding and recovery efforts in the Midwest."
On July 1, the President announced his decision to increase the federal cost share for Public Assistance funds only in the category of Direct Federal Assistance (used to reimburse the state for food, water and other emergency measures such as sandbags) from 75 percent to 90 percent following the historic levels of flooding in the Midwest.
Illinois Congressional Delegation members joining Durbin and Obama in signing today's letter include Representative Melissa Bean (D-IL), Jerry Costello (D-IL), Bill Foster (D-IL), Phil Hare (D-IL), Jesse Jackson, Jr. (D-IL), Tim Johnson (R-IL), Ray LaHood (R-IL), Dan Lipinski (D-IL), Don Manzullo (R-IL), Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) and John Shimkus (R-IL).
text of the letter below
July 16, 2008
The Honorable George W. Bush
The President
The White House
Washington, D.C. 20500
Dear Mr. President:
In light of the historic flooding affecting the Midwest, we write to support Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich's request for a 90%-10% federal-state cost share for all categories of Public Assistance as well as for U.S. Department of Agriculture Emergency Conservation and Watershed programs, and for a 100% federal reimbursement to the state for emergency protective measures.
The recent storms and subsequent flooding of the Mississippi River and its tributaries have devastated many communities in the Midwest. Near-record crest levels in Illinois have caused millions of dollars in damage to roads, rail lines, bridges, dams, levees, water and sewer systems, government buildings, and other public infrastructure. State and local governments, who have been hard hit by several major flood events over the past year, will be unable to respond with the financial resources necessary to recover from this latest disaster.
We thank you for your decision to establish a 90%-10% federal-state cost share for emergency protective measures, Category B under the Public Assistance Program. We respectfully request that additional federal support is made available to help with rebuilding and recovery efforts in the Midwest. We thank you in advance for your timely consideration of this urgent request and stand ready to assist in any way appropriate.
Sincerely