Maryland denied FEMA funds

Emergency funding to help flood-damaged communities in Western Maryland was denied on Wednesday by The White House after the state’s Democratic Governor submitted a request for $15.8 million in disaster relief. 

“I requested federal disaster assistance for Allegany and Garrett counties on June 13,” said Gov. Wes Moore via a statement.

“These estimates are above and beyond the thresholds for disaster assistance set by FEMA. Historically, if the joint damage assessment process demonstrates eligible costs over and above the county and State indicator, disaster assistance has been awarded by the President. Allegany County’s threshold for FEMA Public Assistance is $321,460 and Maryland’s is $11,674,953.” 

The damage affected more than 200 homes, numerous businesses, roads and bridges, railroads, sewer systems, drinking water, and public utilities.

FEMA cited the Stafford Act in denying the request, which is the statute that defines declarations of disasters and emergencies. The President makes the final decision on what qualifies for assistance based on input from FEMA. 

 Maryland’s denial follows similar turn downs for Washington state and North Carolina. When President Trump took office in January he talked about abolishing the agency, which would strike a blow to states trying to maintain their financial strength following natural disasters. 

On Tuesday, President Trump announced he had signed disaster declarations for Kentucky, Indiana, Michigan, and West Virginia.  Funding to support recovery from the deadly flooding in Texas was approved the day after Republican Gov. Greg Abbott requested it. 

Funding was also recently approved for months-old requests from Oregon and New Mexico. 

Forcing state and local governments to bear a heavier financial burden without federal help is emerging as a theme in the Trump administration.

“You see that with FEMA on disaster (relief), to the National Institute of Health and research funding, to Medicaid, which is the obvious one, but as well as clean energy, and certainly in transit as well,” said Dan Hartman, Managing Director and Immediate Past CEO PFM Financial Advisors LLC.

State efforts to provide flood relief to victims of a surge of Georges Creek during May 12-14, are already well underway.

“The State of Maryland immediately took action to make funding available directly to residents and businesses to assist with recovery,” said Moore.  

“The Maryland Department of Emergency Management awarded Allegany County $459,375 from the State Disaster Recovery Fund on June 10. An additional $1 million was made available to Allegany and Garrett counties through the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program.” 

The Trump administration is making a habit of causing financial pressure for Maryland. Last month the state lost 3,500 federal jobs and plans to move the Federal Bureau of Investigation headquarters to Greenbelt, Maryland were scotched in favor of keeping the FBI in Washington. 

The job losses from Trump’s efforts to shrink the federal government led Moody’s Ratings to downgrading the state’s issuer rating and general obligation bonds to Aa1 from Aaa in May.

Gov. Moore intends to appeal FEMA’s decision.