North Carolina Senate President Pro Tem Phil Berger (R-Rockingham) and House Speaker Tim Moore (R-Cleveland), surrounded by statelawmakers, address reporters ahead of a vote on a first round of Hurricane Helene relief money. (Photo: Galen Bacharier/NC Newsline)
This a developing story — check back for updates.
North Carolina lawmakers approved $273 million for Hurricane Helene relief on Wednesday, as the western part of the state continues recovery efforts.
The package, which legislative leaders called a “first step” in their response, will provide a needed transfusion of dollars to qualify the state for federal money and help officials prepare for the Nov. 5 election.
It passed both the House and Senate unanimously.
“The recovery that is going to have to be done is something that is going to be a herculean task,” House Speaker Tim Moore (R-Cleveland) told reporters ahead of the vote.
The General Assembly is set to return on Oct. 24 to allocate more money, once lawmakers have a better sense of specific funding needs. A November session is also planned to “deal with other matters,” Moore said.
Senate President Pro Tem Phil Berger (R-Rockingham) said their first priority was securing federal dollars, but that further state money was coming.
“As far as the total that the state is going to expend, no, this is not all of it,” Berger said. “Not by a long shot.”
The vast majority of the money will serve as matching funds to qualify for FEMA federal disaster programs. The federal government has pledged 100% reimbursement for six months following the disaster.
Another $16 million will help back pay salaries for nutrition staff whose schools have been closed in the storm’s aftermath. And the bill grants impacted schools more flexibility to adjust their calendars and add remote teaching as needed.
Lawmakers also expanded the resources and flexibility for western counties to conduct their elections. The State Board of Elections will get $5 million — more than they initially requested — and 25 western counties will be eligible to make changes to early voting and polling places. (A resolution from the state board originally included 13 counties.)
“While the Board of Elections made a good effort, we want to extend it to additional counties that were impacted,” Berger said.
Those changes could include more flexibility in appointing election judges, changing precinct locations, and “curing” of spoiled absentee ballots — all at the discretion of county election offices.
North Carolina Rep. Jennifer Balkcom (R-Henderson) fights back tears as she speaks to reporters about Hurricane Helene ahead of a vote on a relief package in Raleigh on Oct. 9, 2024. (Photo: Galen Bacharier/NC Newsline)
Throughout a press conference and debate Wednesday, lawmakers representing districts to the west spoke passionately about the damage done to their communities, and emphasized that the road to recovery would be years long. Some, like Rep. Jennifer Balkcom (R-Henderson), fought back tears.
“People are trying to start their lives over again,” Balkcom said.
Moore and Berger said they met with Gov. Roy Cooper and Democratic legislative leaders in recent days to discuss the bill. Cooper, speaking at a press conference to discuss ongoing storm recovery efforts at around the same time lawmakers were voting, expressed appreciation for the legislation.
Still, concerns among some Democrats lingered Wednesday — including Rep. Caleb Rudow (D-Buncombe), who filed a bill extending voter registration deadlines but failed to get GOP support to move it forward.
How education leaders, local advocacy groups want relief money spent
Ahead of the legislature’s return to Raleigh, officials and organizations across the state made funding requests as they continue to evaluate damages and look toward recovery.
The State Board Education has outlined more than $150 million needed to repair and recover public schools across the state. State superintendent Catherine Truitt said in a statement Wednesday that she was “really pleased and grateful” with the school-related funding in the initial relief package.
“I know the NCGA will appropriate additional funding in terms of building and equipment damage in due time,” Truitt said. “This is a great first step to helping our schools, staff and students recover.”
And in a letter sent Tuesday evening to lawmakers, a network of faith, health care and civic groups called the NC Inclusive Disaster Recovery Network outlined a range of recommendations for how funding is used.
“Policies should ensure relief and rebuilding efforts reach all North Carolinians by minimizing barriers to access and stabilizing conditions,” the letter said.
They urged lawmakers to allow local governments flexibility to hire or expand communications as needed; to send funds “for public interest law firms,” and to create an eviction moratorium “similar to the response to COVID.”
A letter from the North Carolina Association of Educators called on lawmakers to, among other things, protect all public-school staff from pay and leave reductions for the duration of the crisis, ensure districts are not penalized for student enrollment declines due to temporary relocations, and provide meals for students in hard-hit counties.