Under the Dome: A ‘double standard’ for California fire money? Nope — NC got the same deal
Good morning and welcome to the Under the Dome newsletter. I’m Emily Vespa.
After President Joe Biden said the federal government will cover six months of response costs for the California wildfires last week, false claims that federal funds are being diverted from North Carolina have swirled on social media.
“Why is the government covering 100% of disaster relief in California but not in North Carolina?” one X user wrote on Saturday in a post that garnered over 2 million views. “Americans deserve equal treatment, no matter their state. What’s the justification for this double standard?”
In fact, Biden made a similar agreement to cover North Carolina’s initial storm response costs in October, The News & Observer previously reported. The federal government will fund 100% of costs such as debris removal and infrastructure repairs for six months, until late March.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency has enough money for disaster response in multiple regions, and it isn’t redirecting Hurricane Helene relief funds to California, it said on its website. Congress in December passed a bill with more than $100 billion for storm victims.
And last week, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development said North Carolina would receive over $1.6 billion in federal grants to help rebuild homes, businesses and infrastructure.
Still, the Republican members of North Carolina’s congressional delegation urged Biden and FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell not to pull resources or manpower away from Helene recovery efforts in a Monday letter.
“It is critical that FEMA maintain its presence in the affected North Carolina counties to help deploy these resources and help our region recover from the most devastating natural disaster we have ever experienced,” the letter read in part.
DEMOCRATS CRITICIZE GOP EFFORT TO THROW OUT OVER 60,000 NC BALLOTS
Democrats on Monday railed against the GOP effort to invalidate over 60,000 ballots in the North Carolina Supreme Court race, reports Kyle Ingram.
Democratic National Committee Chair Jaime Harrison called losing Republican candidate Jefferson Griffin’s legal battle a “rock bottom maneuver to circumvent the will of North Carolina voters.”
After two recounts, Democratic incumbent Allison Riggs leads Griffin by 734 votes. But the state Supreme Court halted finalizing the race while it decides Griffin’s challenges, which largely rely on legal arguments that courts have previously rejected.
On Friday, a Wake County court blocked an NC GOP and Republican National Committee request to invalidate the 60,000 ballots in an expedited process.
Griffin’s case is increasingly complicated. It’s currently being considered in both state and federal court. The federal 4th Circuit is scheduled to hear the case first on Jan. 27.
HUNT ANNOUNCES SENIOR STAFF
Lt. Gov. Rachel Hunt announced her senior leadership team Monday. They are:
Meghan McCarthy Quick, chief of staff: McCarthy Quick has worked on statewide political campaigns and in philanthropy, including for Hunt’s father, former North Carolina Gov. Jim Hunt.
Stephanie Dorko Austin, director of constituent services: Dorko Austin, who most recently worked as a senior adviser on Rachel Hunt’s campaign, has experience leading fundraising for North Carolina political campaigns.
Daniel Gilligan, director of policy: Gilligan has worked for the campaigns of Rachel Hunt, former Gov. Roy Cooper, and Secretary of State Elaine Marshall. He’s been a consultant and policy adviser for officials in 17 different states.
Jordan Monaghan, communications director: Monaghan joins Hunt’s team from Cooper’s office, where he was deputy communications director. He’s also worked in communications for other political campaigns.
“I’m excited to announce my senior staff and expand our team to deliver for hardworking North Carolinians and their families,” Hunt said in a news release. “Their experience and skills will strengthen our work to make North Carolina a better place to live, work and raise a family.”
WHAT ELSE WE’RE WORKING ON
A bill passed last year that was advertised as Helene relief also included a provision that could boost efforts to generate energy from hog waste, reports Adam Wagner.
Aetna took over as the State Health Plan administrator this month after Blue Cross Blue Shield held the role for over 40 years. Aetna leaders and state officials said the transition has been largely smooth, reports Luciana Perez Uribe Guinassi.
Today’s newsletter was by Emily Vespa. Check your inbox tomorrow for more #ncpol.
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This story was originally published January 14, 2025 at 5:15 AM.