A group of Central New York and Mohawk Valley lawmakers is urging Governor Kathy Hochul to provide additional financial assistance to communities hit hardest by recent snow and ice storms.
In a letter to the governor, State Senator Joseph Griffo and Assemblymembers Brian Miller, Ken Blankenbush, Robert Smullen, and Marianne Buttenschon outlined the widespread damage caused by the severe weather. They cited collapsed buildings, barns, and even a fire station, along with livestock losses and ongoing risks to residents.
“While residents and local governments continue to dig out, we urge you to provide financial and other resources to assist with the ongoing cleanup process,” the legislators wrote.
“Important assistance during past natural disasters and severe weather events, including flooding, tornados and blizzards, has been offered by the state. The same should be done now to help those who have suffered from this event.”
The lawmakers are calling for an increase in funding for the Extreme Winter Recovery program and the designation of affected communities as eligible for assistance to repair damaged highways and bridges.
They also requested additional state resources for ice removal and public safety, as well as support from the Department of Financial Services to help expedite insurance claims for affected residents.
Griffo and his colleagues stressed that past natural disasters in the state have received critical aid, and the same response is needed now to help those suffering from the aftermath of these storms.
