Theresa Opeka
Carolina Journal
On Friday, President Donald Trump had some words of praise for North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein on account of their working relationship overseeing Hurricane Helene disaster recovery in western North Carolina.
The remarks came as the nation’s governors met at the Governor’s Working Session, which was held in the White House State Dining Room.
He said that his administration has been working hard in that part of the state since he took office over a month ago and that FEMA was a ‘disaster’ and did a terrible job in helping hurricane survivors; further pointing out that some ignored houses that had American flags or Trump campaign signs in front of them.
Trump said they are doing things differently now and talked about his dealings with Stein, a Democrat.
“We’re working with a very, very nice person that we’ve had good relationships with — the newly elected Democrat governor,” he said. “We’re working well together, very well together. We’re not using FEMA so much, but it doesn’t matter as long as we get the job done, but the people are becoming very happy, so I want to thank you very much. It’s a great job.”
Trump announced this week that Stein has been named to the National Governors Association’s (NGA) Council of Governors, a bipartisan group of state leaders tasked with strengthening state-federal partnerships on key national security, disaster response, and military coordination issues.
He will also serve as co-chair, along with Republican Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin.
Trump reiterated his earlier remarks last month that the states, not the federal government, should handle natural disasters like hurricanes and tornadoes.
But Stein is still calling on Trump and the federal government for help as the state is facing nearly $60 billion in damages from Helene. On Thursday, he requested an additional $19 billion for Helene recovery and rebuilding, on top of what the state had previously been allocated.
“Hurricane Helene destroyed so much across western North Carolina – lives, homes, businesses, farms, and infrastructure — and our state is facing nearly $60 billion in damages,” he said in a press release. “Despite a focused response from federal, state, local, and private sector and nonprofit partners in the immediate aftermath, five months later, it is clear that much more help is needed to restore and rebuild western North Carolina. That’s why I am requesting $19 billion in federal funds for Helene recovery. We must support home rebuilding, restore critical infrastructure, keep businesses open, shore up local governments, and reduce impacts from future natural disasters.”
Stein said the state has already committed more than $1 billion in funding and that he is working with the legislature to obtain more funding for recovery and relief.
Also on Thursday, he met with North Carolina Republican US Sens. Ted Budd and Thom Tillis to ask for their help with the new request, along with help in securing some funds that have already been allocated.
“I just want to make sure that North Carolina gets its fair share,” he said in a post on X. “I am very encouraged by their positive reaction. I don’t think there’s any daylight between them and the government, state government, in terms of making sure that North Carolina gets every resource we possibly can to help the people.”
Stein also said on X that he was concerned with the Trump Administration’s plans to cut 84% of staff at the Office of Community Planning and Development, which funds US disaster recovery.
Comentários