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Change FEMA Assistance Rules

One should not look a gift horse in the mouth, it has been said. But what about asking the Federal Emergency Management Agency for a little more flexibility in how it helps localities?

Last week, Jefferson County commissioners heard a report on road slips, from county Engineer James Branagan. Heavy rainfall this year has resulted in slips that have damaged numerous roads.

FEMA can help with the cost of some repairs, but the work has to be done before the agency will release reimbursement funds. That has created a cash-flow problem that, in turn, has forced Branagan to cut back on road paving projects, he said.

Surely FEMA can provide some of the relief money up front, allowing affected localities to continue with other projects such as paving. Agency officials should consider making that change.

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