News

Gov. Cuomo says state will find money for flooded homeowners, could be better prepared

by David Lombardo

July 16, 2013

Susan Arbetter, host of WCNY’s The Capitol Pressroom, spoke Tuesday with Gov. Andrew Cuomo about the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) response to flooding in Central New York.

“Even if FEMA doesn’t reimburse, the state will figure out how to do it,” Cuomo said.

FEMA is providing some aid, but not for individual homeowners, the governor said, admitting that it remains an open question as to how the state can provide the funds to pay for damage he estimated at about $10 million. Money wasn’t specifically included in the recently passed state budget.

Doing  it on his own without legislative approval is Cuomo’s preference because he doesn’t want to leave the homeowners hanging, he said.

The governor may need the legislature’s approval, and that would require bringing lawmakers back in session. Cuomo said his administration will make a determination in the next couple of days if a special session has to happen.

In the meantime, Cuomo said both the Assembly and Senate are supportive of providing aid.

“The events are like we’ve never seen before,and the state’s response needs to be more sophisticated,” Cuomo said. “Between the frequency and the level of devastation we are not prepared.”