Deal announces emergency session to allot funding for hurricane relief aid

October 25, 2018

Joi Dukes,

ATLANTA, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Governor Nathan Deal announced on Tuesday that he will convene an emergency legislative session to amend the state’s budget after devastation in Middle and South Georgia.

As a state with an economy heavily driven by agriculture, Hurricane Michael didn’t just destroy crops. The devastation left behind now threatens not only the livelihood of farmers—but entire communities.

With billions of dollars worth of estimated damage to farms across Middle and South Georgia, leaders at the state level are preparing to intervene.

“Really, I feel like a generation of wealth has just been destroyed by this storm and it’s going to take years to recover but the state wants us to step up and do our part,” said District 20 State Sen. Larry Walker.

They’re putting political affiliations aside and bringing peoples needs to the forefront.

“Right now it’s time for this state to come together to help the people that were effected. There’s a lot of people hurting across this state,” said District 139 State Rep. Patty Bentley.

Georgia’s General Assembly will meet in November to make changes to the budget to include funding for hurricane relief.

“Dooley County in my district sustained some damage from that hurricane so I’m really hoping and will be advocating for funding,” Bentley told 41NBC.

Walker says Governor Nathan Deal also announced plans to match federal government aid that’s been promised to counties in a state of emergency.

“We’re looking at probably having to appropriate in the range of $100 million state money to go along with the FEMA funds that we hope to be able to access,” he explained.

Rebuilding what took years to grow may take some time, but state leaders want Georgia residents to know they’re ready to work–even if it means coming in early.

The special session is expected to last for five days. Lawmakers may also be taking action on an executive order from Governor Deal to allow a jet fuel tax for Delta Airlines.