The General Assembly quickly passed an initial $56.5 million bipartisan aid package (read the legislation here) to address problems created by Hurricane Florence. The money will provide the state match for federal disaster assistance programs and help pay relief efforts in counties designated under a major disaster declaration by President Trump.
Specifically, the legislation:
- Gives school districts flexibility about making up instructional days missed because of Hurricane Florence.
- Provides funds to school staff to ensure they would be compensated the same as if they had worked normal instructional days.
- Allots $6.5 million for employees whose income is normally supported by school meal receipts or federal funds and will not be appropriated because of the hurricane.
- Approves fee waivers for the Department of Motor Vehicles for those seeking duplicate driver’s licenses, identification cards, titles, registration and other documents.
- Extends the voter registration deadlines by three days in counties under federal disaster declaration and instructs local boards of education to inform residents about options for voting and voter registration in hurricane-impacted areas.
When state agencies complete hurricane needs assessments next week, the General Assembly will reconvene to further refine the aid package.
