FEMA approves aid for Texas fertilizer plant blast
Source: AP
AUSTIN, Texas (AP) The Federal Emergency Management Agency reversed its previous decision and approved additional funding Friday to help rebuild the small Texas town where an April fertilizer plant explosion leveled homes, damaged buildings and killed 15 people. President Barack Obama issued a "major disaster declaration" for the community of West, just north of Waco, freeing up federal support to supplement state and local reconstruction efforts that are already underway.
Even before the decision, FEMA had provided millions of dollars in aid to West and its residents, but in June denied Texas' original application for major disaster funding, preventing the town from accessing widespread assistance money typically available to victims of tornadoes, hurricanes and other natural disasters.
In its original letter to the state, FEMA said the explosion was "not of the severity and magnitude that warrants a major disaster declaration." That ruling affected both public assistance aid which provides funding to the city to rebuild and further individual aid, which provides crisis counseling and other services.
Gov. Rick Perry had vowed to appeal the decision and released a statement Friday calling the reversal "great and welcome news for the people of West." He also thanked the state's congressional delegation for "standing with the people whose lives have been forever impacted to move this appeal forward."
Read more: http://www.chron.com/news/us/article/FEMA-approves-aid-for-Texas-fertilizer-plant-blast-4703197.php
Socialism!
Garion_55
(1,914 posts)'hell no!! we texas folk aint takin no big government money. yall can keep that corrupt DC chicago money and leave us states rights people alone!!
And all the FReepers claiming to be from TX that said they wouldn't accept any help from the government.
Anyway, I'm sure it will be a drop in the bucket compared to what so many lost. I admit I haven't kept up with the story. Not sure what's going on with the investigation. Still think the owners of the company should be held responsible.
MotherPetrie
(3,145 posts)Lenomsky
(340 posts)however if a private company caused the F-Up shouldn't they clean it up and pay home owners etc PRONTO!!
I'm thinking about Michigan right now and the Koch coal shit .. they should be made too pay!
ConcernedCanuk
(13,509 posts).
.
.
People needed that ASAP
yeah, I know - ya got all that overseas shit to take care of before your own citizens/voters.
USE that executive order privilege - it's your last term - there is no future election to lose.
CHANGE
HOPE
Try to leave more than disappointment behind.
CC
dusty trails
(174 posts)Nope - not the President's fault.
He was honoring the wishes of Texans and Governor Oops Perry when they said they didn't want the feds getting involved in the lives of proud southerners. In fact, Texans want so little from the feds, they want to secede.
I say "Bye bye, y'all"
Kiss our grits.
BlueManFan
(256 posts)tainted government money. BBBBBBBBWWWWWWWWWWWWAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!