Bill Text: NJ SCR133 | 2012-2013 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Urges federal government to pay 100% of Hurricane Sandy related essential assistance.
Sponsorship: Bipartisan Bill
Status: (Engrossed - Dead) 2013-03-21 - Received in the Assembly, Referred to Assembly Homeland Security and State Preparedness Committee [SCR133 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2012-SCR133-Introduced.html
SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION No. 133
STATE OF NEW JERSEY
215th LEGISLATURE
INTRODUCED DECEMBER 17, 2012
Sponsored by:
Senator KEVIN J. O'TOOLE
District 40 (Bergen, Essex, Morris and Passaic)
Senator NELLIE POU
District 35 (Bergen and Passaic)
SYNOPSIS
Urges federal government to pay 100% of Hurricane Sandy related essential assistance.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
A Concurrent Resolution urging the federal government to pay 100% of the cost of essential assistance associated with Hurricane Sandy.
Whereas, In late October 2012, Hurricane Sandy ravaged New Jersey's shoreline and caused an estimated $36.8 billion in damage; and
Whereas, Numerous local municipalities are facing steep revenue reductions due to lost property tax revenue and income that was expected to be generated during the upcoming summer season; and
Whereas, The burden on residents of the municipalities and counties impacted by Hurricane Sandy will be dramatic, essentially requiring that all New Jersey taxpayers have some responsibility for the costs associated with Hurricane Sandy; and
Whereas, Between 1990 and 2009, New Jersey taxpayers have paid over $1.65 trillion in taxes to the federal government and the State has received $950 billion in federal funding, a difference of more than $700 billion, the second highest disparity in the United States; and
Whereas, The federal Stafford Act (42 U.S.C. 5170 et seq.) requires that the federal share of "essential assistance" be an amount not less than 75% of the cost of cleanup related to Hurricane Sandy; and
Whereas, Given the extent of the damage caused by Hurricane Sandy, the expected impact the storm will have on numerous local operating budgets for years to come, and the exorbitant amount of funds New Jersey has provided to the federal government for its use around the country, it is appropriate to request that the federal government pay 100%, rather than 75%, of the total cost of "essential assistance" associated with Hurricane Sandy; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved by the Senate of the State of New Jersey (the General Assembly concurring):
1. The federal government is urged to pay 100% of the cost of "essential assistance" associated with Hurricane Sandy, pursuant to the federal Stafford Act (42 U.S.C. 5170b).
2. Duly authenticated copies of this concurrent resolution, signed by the President of the Senate and Speaker of the General Assembly and attested to by the Secretary of the Senate and the Clerk of the General Assembly, shall be sent to the New Jersey Congressional delegation, the Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and the President of the United States.
STATEMENT
This concurrent resolution respectfully urges the federal government to pay for 100% of the essential assistance necessary to repair the damage from the impact of Hurricane Sandy, rather than the minimum of 75%, pursuant to the federal Stafford Act (42 U.S.C. 5170b). Hurricane Sandy has destroyed property in numerous municipalities, which will undoubtedly result in large reductions in revenue due to lost property taxes and, potentially, lost revenue from tourism in certain areas. New Jersey and federal officials have been working diligently to plan for the cleanup and reconstruction of the New Jersey shoreline, which is enjoyed by visitors from around the world.
Between 1990 and 2009, New Jersey taxpayers have paid over $1.65 trillion in taxes to the federal government and the State has received $950 billion in federal funding, a difference of more than $700 billion, the second highest such disparity in the United States. New Jersey has contributed more than its fair share to the federal government for use in other areas of the country in need of federal funding. Unfortunately, a natural disaster has decimated New Jersey's economic engine - the Jersey Shore. The cost of the damage alone has been estimated at over $36 billion.
Given the extent of the damage caused by Hurricane Sandy, the expected impact the storm will have on numerous local operating budgets for years to come, and the exorbitant amount of funds New Jersey has provided to the federal government for its use around the country, it is appropriate to request that the federal government pay 100%, rather than the minimum 75%, of the total cost of "essential assistance" associated with Hurricane Sandy, pursuant to the federal Stafford Act.
