Governor Stein Releases Second Helene Support Proposal
Today, Governor Stein released a Second Hurricane Helene Budget Proposal outlining a plan to spend $891 million on efforts to help western North Carolina recover from Helene. This proposal comes after the North Carolina Senate already passed their version of the budget that includes over $700 million for Helene efforts, plus additional funding for transportation related projects. The North Carolina House signaled that they will provide at least $700 million in recovery funding as well.
Here are some key areas that Stein’s proposal looks to fund:
$260 million for small businesses and local governments and to promote western North Carolina’s tourism industry.
$239 million to strengthen infrastructure, by repairing schools, expanding debris clean-up, and invests in projects to safeguard against future disasters.
$113 million for housing recovery and assistance to families struggling with bills.
$105 million to rehabilitate waterways and land used by farmers, and forest fire prevention.
$23 million to address food insecurity and impacted community colleges.
$152 million for state matching for federal disaster programs, investments in communication systems, and existing requirements not funded by state or federal dollars.
Here are some funding suggestions that raise eyebrows:
$10 million for Helene Arts and Culture Recovery Grants.
$6 million for Helene Museums and Libraries Support Grants.
Only $15 million for tourism advertising efforts.
$50 million to incentivize “affordable” housing development.
$10 million for homelessness prevention
$20 million for rental and mortgage assistance
$50 million for Waterway and Land Rehabilitation
Tim’s Take: This is a political move by Stein that may serve to undermine his relationship with Republicans in the General Assembly. Both the House and Senate budgets already include at least $700 million for Helene recovery efforts, and it is far from clear if this proposal would do anything drastically different. From my vantage point, the only real purpose of this proposal is to provide Stein with a talking point. The legislature is already engaged in serious negotiations between the two chambers, both focused on ways to help western North Carolina recover.
