Finally....President issues disaster declaration for Wash. flooding

[rsmith6621]

SEATTLE (AP) - President Bush declared Washington's flooding a major disaster Saturday, clearing the way for federal recovery aid to the state as well as local governments - but not residents - in the hardest-hit areas.

Bush's declaration allows the Federal Emergency Management Agency to reimburse six southwestern counties - Grays Harbor, Kitsap, Lewis, Mason, Pacific and Thurston - at least 75 percent of debris-removal costs, and up to 75 percent of infrastructure improvements or repairs. FEMA spokeswoman Debbie Wing said more types of assistance could be granted and more counties could be covered as officials assess the damage.

Democratic Gov. Chris Gregoire welcomed the news but said the aid falls short of what she requested: federal money to help people get back on their feet following violent storms and widespread flooding that struck Western Washington beginning Dec. 1. She announced that she would issue $300,000 in emergency state funding for that purpose.

http://www.komotv.com/news/12279346.html



....It only took shrubboy 3 days to get this done and again the folks of the state get a big government blue state short-sheet.