Text of Senator Charles Schumer's Letter to Charles Albaugh, Director Federal Emergency Management Commission

Dear Director Allbaugh:

I am writing today to ask that in response to New York State's request for snow removal assistance, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) do everything in its power to expedite the transfer of emergency aid to local governments across New York State as they shoulder the expense of the record snowfall they have received over the last month.

While New York State is no stranger to the rigors of winter weather, a recent set of blizzards coincides with an acute fiscal crisis that has already forced local governments across the state to contemplate, if not enact, massive tax increases in order to avoid deep deficits. It is vital that FEMA consider these pressing circumstances and take steps to reimburse the area for the costs associated with the cleanup of these storms as soon as possible.

The numbers involved in the recent snow squalls are truly staggering. Earlier this month, a steady ten-day snowfall of almost four feet of snow in the Capital Region caused Schenectady to spend an unplanned $110,000 on overtime snow removal. Troy, meanwhile, spent $50,000 on overtime snow plow crews in addition to $50,000 on salt. Albany has already exceeded its average winter snowfall of 62 inches and its mayor estimates that it will spend $200,000 on the clean up.

The effect of these expenses on government budgets is likely to be severe. Albany, Broome, Chemung, Genesee, Madison, Oneida, Oswego, Schenectady and Wayne counties all expect to exceed their annual snowfall budgets by over $100,000 each as a result of these storms. Wyoming and Onondaga counties expect to have budget overruns of over $1 million each.

Already strained by the burden of skyrocketing local budgets, these communities simply cannot bear the extra burden placed upon them by severe weather systems. As the storm clouds begin to subside, I hope FEMA will be able to offer these cities swift emergency so that their ability to deliver the essential services their citizens depend will not be greatly diminished.

I look forward to working with you to ensure that these areas are reimbursed as quickly as possible for the resources they have employed in their exhaustive efforts to keep their communities safe.

Sincerely,
Charles E. Schumer
United States Senator