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| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
| State Rep. Peter J. Daley |
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Daley to introduce small disaster assistance legislation
HARRISBURG, Oct. 17 – State Rep. Peter J. Daley II, D-Fayette/Washington, joined several of his Democratic colleagues at a Capitol news conference today to unveil legislation that would aid homeowners and businesses impacted by weather-related natural disasters.
Daley joined Reps. Eddie Day Pashinski, D-Luzerne, Phyllis Mundy, D-Luzerne, Mike Carroll, D-Luzerne/Monroe, and Gerald Mullery, D-Luzerne, to highlight legislation that would help victims of the recent flooding and other natural disasters to recover.
“When a natural or manmade disaster strikes one of Pennsylvania’s communities, it can cause significant damage, as well as disruption for the individuals and businesses located there,” Daley said. “As we’ve seen recently in a number of communities and regions across Pennsylvania, these disasters may not qualify for federal disaster assistance programs.
“So, where does that leave homeowners and businesses, who are now struggling to not only restore their home or business to normal, but also must find the resources to pay for these repairs?”
Daley is proposing the Small Disaster Assistance Program, which would extend much-needed assistance to communities that do not qualify for federal assistance. The program would be coordinated by the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency in collaboration with appropriate state agencies. Under the program, homeowners, renters and small businesses and municipalities would be eligible for grants and low-interest loans to make necessary repairs, replace personal effects and property and perform hazard mitigation.
No funding would be drawn from the state’s General Fund Budget, but would instead be derived from a surcharge on real property insurance at a rate of $1 per $100,000 of insured value. The money would be deposited in the Small Disaster Assistance Fund within the State Treasury and grants and loans would be available when the fund was solvent.
“This is not a new idea for me, but it is an important one,” Daley said. “When disaster strikes, people should have the peace of mind in knowing that there will be help available.”
Currently, Daley’s legislation is being circulated for co-sponsorship.
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