10-R173

2010 -- H 8020

Enacted 04/12/10

 

 

H O U S E R E S O L U T I O N

MEMORIALIZING THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS TO WAIVE THE TWENTY-FIVE PERCENT MATCHING FUNDS REQUIREMENT

     

     

     Introduced By: Representatives Loughlin, Trillo, Brien, Kennedy, and Costantino

     Date Introduced: April 12, 2010

 

     WHEREAS, Relentless and record-shattering rainstorms have caused the most severe

flooding to hit Rhode Island in more than 100 years, exacerbating the number of Rhode Islanders

left homeless and jobless and the array of Rhode Island businesses experiencing serious financial

jeopardy; and

     WHEREAS, President Barack Obama declared a state of emergency in portions of Rhode

Island, an action that has provided grants and low-interest loans to assist individuals and

businesses; and

     WHEREAS, In order to assist cities and towns in dealing with some of the aftermath of

the storms, the state is applying for a “public assistance declaration” which would make state and

local government agencies eligible for federal reimbursement for the cost of fighting the floods

and cleaning up afterward, including infrastructure repair; and

     WHEREAS, These funds would be offered through the Federal Emergency Management

Administration (FEMA) as a matching grant, with 75 percent coming from the federal

government and 25 percent from the state or local government; now, therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island and

Providence Plantations hereby urges the United States Congress to waive the twenty-five percent

matching contribution required for federal reimbursement to assist cities and towns with respect

to FEMA funding under the “public assistance declaration”; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and he hereby is authorized and directed to

transmit duly certified copies of this resolution to the Rhode Island Congressional Delegation.

     

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LC02417

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