Washington, DC (December 18, 2008) – Congressmen Solomon P. Ortiz (TX-27), Ruben Hinojosa (TX-15) and Henry Cuellar (TX-28), sent the following letter urging the President to waive any associated costs local governments incurred during the aftermath of Hurricane Dolly. This is the second letter the South Texas delegation has sent to FEMA seeking a waiver for the cost share of federal public assistance for South Texas counties.
December 16, 2008
The Honorable George W. Bush
President of the United States
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue
Washington, D.C. 20500
THROUGH: Mr. David Paulison
Administer
Federal Emergency Management Agency
500 C Street
Washington, D.C. 20472
Dear Mr. President:
On August 25th, 2008, Texas Governor Rick Perry formally requested that you waive the 25 percent cost share for Hurricane Dolly federal public assistance under Category A (Debris Removal) and Category B (Emergency Protective Measures) for Cameron, Hidalgo, and Willacy counties and the incorporated cities within each county for 30 days. On September 19, 2008, we wrote to you expressing support for Governor Perry’s request and seeking your expedited approval of the waiver request. However, almost three months after the initial correspondence, we understand that the request is still under “review” by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
Failure to provide increased cost share assistance is already having a detrimental effect on the economy of these counties and their ability to provide basic social services to their local communities. Additionally, it has recently come to our attention that federal cost estimates for damage incurred during Hurricane Dolly are far lower than local cost estimates, thus potentially placing even more disaster recovery financial burdens on local governments as they rebuild after the storm.
As you are aware, Congress appropriated approximately $21 billion to your Administration for disaster recovery efforts. The intent of the appropriations was to provide federal disaster assistance to communities thus alleviating local and state financial burdens from those communities impacted by the 2008 storm season.
Therefore, as requested in our previous letter, we call on you to approve the cost share waiver for Hidalgo, Willacy and Cameron counties as requested by Governor Perry, and inclusion of Starr county, in light of the extreme circumstances that have caused a state and local financial hardship. Additionally, we request that FEMA review initial damage estimates in conjunction with local community leaders so that recovery from Hurricane Dolly is adequately addressed by the Administration.
We look forward to your response.
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