North Carolina lawmakers to vote on initial Helene relief

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina General Assembly leaders said Friday that they’re prepared to approve initial disaster relief next week to address Hurricane Helene damage.

House Speaker Tim Moore and Senate leader Phil Berger said in a joint news release that details are still being worked out about exactly what is needed for now to facilitate the state’s response.

The Republican-controlled legislature had already scheduled a one-day session for Wednesday.

“It will take time to know the full catastrophic nature of this storm, but the General Assembly stands ready to take the necessary steps to help our neighbors in Western North Carolina,” Berger said in a statement earlier this week.

Damage in the mountains is still being evaluated, so lawmakers expect this legislation will include just a down payment on the state’s contribution, along with other changes to state law that would provide flexibility to agencies and displaced residents.

For example, within two weeks of the destruction caused by Hurricane Florence in eastern North Carolina in September 2018, lawmakers quickly approved $57 million in disaster relief funds and also waived fees for displaced residents to obtain new driver’s licenses and identification cards. They also passed a bill forgiving schools in the hardest-hit areas up to 20 lost instructional days to ensure workers got paid.

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