No Special Session For Hurricane Matthew PDF Print E-mail
State Government
By Donna Martinez   
Thursday, 13 October 2016 14:15
Legislative leaders have rejected a call from Democratic legislators for a special session to deal with the damage in the wake of Hurricane Matthew. 
 
Senate Minority Leader Dan Blue, a Raleigh Democrat, and two of his Senate colleagues said at a news conference that the legislature should meet to address the expansive needs brought on by flooding.
 
A special session of the legislature in 1999 appropriated more than $836 million to help homeowners, farmers and businesses recover from Hurricane Floyd.
 
That 1999 session was not called until about three months after the hurricane. Blue said there is no reason to wait this year.
 
Republicans disagreed. Senate leader Phil Berger and House Speaker Tim Moore sent out a statement saying it would be “imprudent to try to determine long-term needs until floodwaters recede and immediate threats to safety are controlled.”
 
About a third of the state’s counties are a federal disaster area. Flooding has forced thousands of people out of homes and into shelters, shuttered businesses and schools, and destroyed crops.
 
McCrory said this week the state has enough in disaster funds to last until February. By that time, the legislature will be back for its regular session.
Last Updated on Thursday, 13 October 2016 14:30
 
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