State approves $800 million dollars towards Florence recovery

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General Assembly

RALEIGH, NC (AP/WWAY)  – North Carolina legislators are spending $400 million to speed up recovery from Hurricane Florence and setting aside another $450 million for upcoming needs, temporarily setting aside the sharp partisanship that’s typified government.

Legislators on Monday approved a second emergency spending plan a month after Florence slammed into the state. Lawmakers set aside $50 million to match federal disaster relief funds during a special session last week.

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The new package includes $95 million for repairing and upgrading public school, university and community college property damaged during Florence. About $7 million will help college and university students remain enrolled despite sudden, storm-related expenses.

Senator Michael Lee’s office released this statement saying, “Today’s action comes just two weeks after a different bill I sponsored became law, ensuring school staff will be compensated properly and providing flexibility for school makeup days.”

The Hurricane Florence relief package that passed Monday includes $60 million for K-12 school repairs and $30 million for public universities.

Legislators committed nearly $800 million for Florence recovery, on top of the $56.5 million allocated earlier this month.

The majority of funds comes from the rainy day reserve according to Sen. Lee’s office.

(This article has been edited by WWAY Staff with more information)

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