web1_116907988-b383a206f5a94f238dcded1d4ff9a3d6.jpg

‘I knew them all’: Confident Californian, 12, wins national spelling bee

web1_WB-City-logo.jpg

FEMA visit could improve Wilkes-Barre’s rating, benefit flood insurance holders

<p>WILKES-BARRE &#8212; Gov. Tom Wolf Friday announced that he has appealed the Trump administration&#8217;s denial of his request for a federal disaster declaration to help offset the financial burden of a record-breaking snowstorm that crippled much of the northeastern part of the state in March.</p><p>&#8220;The financial impact of this storm will impact both day-to-day and emergency operations in these communities for months to come,&#8221; Wolf said. &#8220;Without federal assistance, they very well may be forced to cut funding for vital services their citizens need.&#8221;</p><p>In his letter, Wolf cited the following reasons for a disaster declaration:</p><p>&#8226; Decreased revenues at the state and county levels.</p><p>&#8226; Hazardous road conditions due to record or near-record snowfalls.</p><p>&#8226; Excessive costs for plowing, hauling and disposing the crippling amounts of snow from the storm.</p><p>&#8226; Major challenges to first responders in supporting basic and event-related emergency services as well as disaster response needs at the municipal and county level.</p><p>&#8226; Mobilization of a variety of local and volunteer resources to address public safety and emergency needs of citizens.</p><p>On May 2, Wolf requested a federal disaster declaration to provide federal funding to local, county and state governments, as well as certain eligible nonprofits in Luzerne, Bradford, Lackawanna, Susquehanna, Wyoming, Northumberland, Pike, Wayne and Montour counties through the Public Assistance program. The program provides reimbursement of up to 75 percent of the costs incurred on eligible expenses for the eligible 48-hour time period.</p><p>The request was denied on May 11.</p><p><strong>Wolf cites W-B costs</strong></p><p>In his letter, Wolf noted that he expects to end the current Fiscal Year 2016-2017 having collected at least $1.4 billion less revenue than was anticipated when the budget was enacted in July 2016.</p><p>Wolf said the effect of this shortfall in fiscal year 2016-2017 revenues means that the commonwealth is facing a $4 to $4.5 billion deficit in 2017-2018.</p><p>Wolf said his administration is working &#8220;diligently and responsibly&#8221; to respond to its considerable budgetary shortfall in 2016-2017, and to fix its 2017-2018 structural deficit.</p><p>For example, Wolf said the City of Wilkes-Barre was decimated financially by the severe winter storm.</p><p>&#8220;It was the largest snow storm ever endured by the city, overwhelming first responders and public works crews,&#8221; Wold wrote in the letter. &#8220;The city responsibly budgeted $370,000 for winter storm costs, but it could not have foreseen a storm the size of Winter Storm Stella.&#8221;</p><p>Wolf said the resulting snow had to be removed from 127 miles of city streets, and moved to remote locations, resulting in more than $1 million in fixed costs &#8212; not including revenue collections lost from earned income taxes, business privilege taxes and parking due to the inability to report to work and access the city.</p><p>&#8220;Without supplemental assistance, the city will be unable to adequately sustain, protect, respond to and recover from disaster emergencies,&#8221; Wolf wrote.</p><p>Wolf said recovery efforts required the mobilization and deployment of a variety of local, state, volunteer and private resources to address emergency needs and public safety issues associated with the severe winter storm.</p><p>&#8220;In conclusion, I submit that the severe winter storm was of such severity and magnitude that effective response was beyond the capabilities of the commonwealth and the local affected governments, and that supplemental federal assistance is necessary,&#8221; Wolf wrote.</p><style>
.neFileBlock {
	margin-bottom: 20px;
}
.neFileBlock p {
	margin: 0px 0px 0px 0px;
}
.neFileBlock .neFile {
	border-bottom: 1px dotted #aaa;
	padding-bottom: 5px;
	padding-top: 10px;
}
.neFileBlock .neCaption {
	font-size: 85%;
}
</style>
<div class='neFileBlock'>
<div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/web1_Wolf-2.jpg">
<div class="neCaption">In this Times Leader file photo, Wilkes-Barre Mayor Tony George looks on as Gov. Tom Wolf addresses about 75 senior citizens at the Charles T. Adams Senior Center in February. </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo0>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/web1_Wolf-2.jpg</photo0><caption0>In this Times Leader file photo, Wilkes-Barre Mayor Tony George looks on as Gov. Tom Wolf addresses about 75 senior citizens at the Charles T. Adams Senior Center in February. </caption0><photoCredit0>Times Leader File Photo </photoCredit0></div></div>
<div class="metaInfo"><bylineMeta><p>By Bill O&#8217;Boyle</p><p>boboyle@www.timesleader.com</p></bylineMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><shirttailMeta><p>Reach Bill O&#8217;Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle.</p></shirttailMeta></div>

Wolf Administration appeals denial of disaster declaration request