Senator Griffo to Participate in New York Rising Storm Recovery Conference

(Utica)- State Senator Joseph A. Griffo (R-C-IP, Rome) today confirmed that he will be participating in Governor Andrew Cuomo’s New York Rising Storm Recovery Conference this Thursday in Albany. Last week, Griffo was joined by fellow Senators James Seward, Hugh Farley and David Valesky in asking President Obama, FEMA, and federal officials for greater consideration in helping the residents of central New York and the Mohawk Valley who had been devastated by the catastrophic flooding. The Senators had unveiled a six-point legislative package of measures designed to guide the mitigation efforts for the recent floods and for State’s long-term recovery approach to future natural disasters. The Senators also agreed that a return to Albany to pass legislation for more relief to flood victims was warranted.

Thursday’s conference is expected to include local officials and planners from major storm damaged communities over the past few years and the Governor’s office has indicated that they will be joined federal HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan.

“The Governor has shown to be a responsive and decisive leader in response to natural disasters in the State,” Griffo said. “Now is an opportune time to re-write a natural disaster response policy in light of how recent federal policy decisions will affect our recovery and rebuilding. We need to work together to develop a State process that can enable fiscally responsible relief when federal support falls short. I look forward to participating in Thursday’s conference.”