Thompson helps introduce the Increase Disaster Cost Share Act

On Tuesday, Rep. Mike Thompson, D. St. Helena, House Transportation and Infrastructure Chair Peter DeFazio Oregon and reps Lucille Royball-Allard, Los Angeles, Doug LaMalfa, Oroville, and Jimmy Panetta, Monterey, introduced the Increase Federal Disaster Cost Share Act.

This bipartisan bill would boost the federal cost share from 75 to 90 percent for any federally declared disasters in 2020. Thompson was joined by original co-authors representing many districts hit hard by bad fires during the coronavirus crisis.

“Far too many districts like ours have been hit hard by fires during the COVID-19 pandemic, a dual burden on our local governments that are already stretched too thin. The federal government can and must help during these double crises,” said Thompson. “That’s why I’ve reintroduced the Increase Federal Disaster Cost Share Act, a bipartisan bill to boost the Federal financial responsibility and help our local governments already working overtime to respond to disasters and maintain essential services. Our communities have been battered by fires, floods and hurricanes on top of the year-long public health crisis and we must deliver this crucial help from the Federal government.” DeFazio agreed.

“The past year has been devastating for communities across the country—including many in my home state of Oregon—which have battled the ongoing pandemic while facing disasters such as wildfires, floods and hurricanes,” DeFazio said. “I am proud to join my colleagues to introduce this critical legislation that will not only help state, local, tribal, and territorial budgets that have been stretched thin from responding to emergencies and disasters, but also give them the relief they need to support their long-term recovery.”