Oneida Times

New York State Senator Joseph Griffo and Assembly members Brian Miller, Ken Blankenbush, Robert Smullen, and Marianne Buttenschon have called on Governor Kathy Hochul to provide additional support to communities affected by a recent severe winter storm. The storm has significantly impacted Central New York and the Mohawk Valley.

In their letter to Governor Hochul, the legislators expressed concerns about the storm's impact, stating it has "created serious health and public safety issues, overwhelmed and overstressed municipalities and has had a harmful effect on the wellbeing of New Yorkers." They emphasized the need for financial assistance and resources to aid in cleanup efforts.

The letter highlighted previous state assistance during natural disasters such as flooding, tornadoes, and blizzards. The legislators urged similar support for those affected by this storm. They acknowledged existing help from the Department of Transportation but insisted more is needed due to ongoing challenges.

The lawmakers pointed out that many residents are still struggling with property damage, including collapsed buildings and barns. Livestock losses have also been reported. They suggested increasing funds for the Extreme Winter Recovery program and making affected communities eligible for this funding to repair highways and bridges.

Additionally, they requested more services from state agencies to address public safety hazards caused by snow and ice. They also proposed expanding the Department of Financial Services' role in expediting insurance claims and providing financial support similar to past responses to regional flooding.

The legislators concluded by expressing hope that Governor Hochul would take necessary actions to relieve the burden on affected communities. They stressed that New Yorkers should feel assured that state resources will be available when disasters occur.