HARRISBURG – Two bi-partisan flood control measures were approved by the state Senate yesterday, according to Senator Gene Yaw (R-23).
House Bill 1913 and House Bill 1916, companion bills to legislation unveiled last September by the Senate in response to Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee, combines financial assistance, infrastructure funding and tax breaks for areas devastated by the flooding.
“I am pleased that my colleagues unanimously supported this legislation to address the flooding impacts in northeastern and central Pennsylvania,” said Yaw. “Though delayed, these bills still provide the necessary resources and financial assistance to our communities still in recovery.”
House Bill 1913 permits taxing authorities, (counties, cities, boroughs, towns, townships and school districts) by resolution or ordinance, to abate real estate taxes imposed by them for the tax year 2011 if the real property upon which the tax was imposed was damaged or destroyed by Hurricane Irene or Tropical Storm Lee.
House Bill 1916, as amended by the Senate, authorizes $150 million in borrowing in the form of bonds for the rehabilitation of areas affected by Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee and provides for the itemization of projects damaged during the flooding.
“As I said last September, the recovery period was not going to happen in weeks or even months – this flood cleanup will take years. Infrastructure needs are still being addressed on a daily basis, which is why this legislation is so critical. Once again, I’d like to thank my colleagues for their support of these bills.”
Contact: Rita Zielonis
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