After months of deliberation, President Trump has denied requests for Major Disaster Declarations for both New York and Rhode Island, following severe winter storms earlier this year. Governor Kathy Hochul of New York expressed disappointment, stating the decision “turns his back on his home state” and pledging an appeal to secure federal assistance for recovery efforts. Rhode Island’s congressional delegation echoed this sentiment, condemning the administration’s inaction and denial of resources for their state’s rebuilding needs.
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It’s striking to learn that, according to available information, blue states face significantly greater hurdles in securing disaster funding under the Trump administration, with some suggestions indicating it’s as much as three times harder. This disparity is not merely a matter of slightly longer wait times or more paperwork; it points to a potentially systemic issue where political leanings seem to influence the allocation of essential federal aid during times of crisis. The data suggests a stark contrast in how requests are handled based on a state’s political affiliation.
The approval rate for disaster funding requests from states with Democratic governors and senators under Trump has been notably low, hovering around 23 percent in a recent assessment period.… Continue reading
John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood