Harrisburg — State Senators Lisa Baker (R-20th District) and John Yudichak (D-14th District) issued a joint statement following today’s announcement that the Commonwealth’s appeal for a federal disaster declaration for the financially crippling snowstorm that hit northeastern Pennsylvania in March was denied.
Baker represents Pike, Susquehanna, Wayne and Wyoming counties and Yudichak serves Carbon County. They both represent a substantial portion of Luzerne County. All of the counties Baker serves were severely impacted by Stella.
“After Winter Storm Stella crippled most of northeastern Pennsylvania, we find ourselves in a position where funding is needed. We never expected to meet the high federal threshold for assistance, despite the extraordinary impact on our communities. Several years ago, we worked together to create a small disaster assistance program to help counties and municipalities impacted by disasters that do not meet the requirements for federal aid. Budget cuts have zeroed out funding for the program. It is our hope that we can work with our colleagues, Governor Wolf and PEMA to restore funding and provide relief to hard-hit communities.”
Contact:
Andrew M. Seder
(570) 226-5960
aseder@pasen.gov