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By Alex Nuti-di Biasi, for the Journal-Opinion
The Trump administration rejected a request from Gov. Phil Scott for a federal major disaster declaration for July 2025 flooding, reported VTDigger and other outlets.
“A federal disaster declaration would have unlocked Federal Emergency Management Agency funding to reimburse municipalities for 75% of the costs, including debris removal, road and public building repairs, and staff overtime during and after the storm.”
Illinois and Maryland were also denied disaster declarations, though the administration granted declarations for Alaska, Nebraska, North Dakota and the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe for other disasters.
A denial such as this is not inconsequential for the Green Mountain State.
“With a population of 648,000 people, Vermont has historically relied on federal dollars for disaster response funding that state and local taxes alone can’t produce,” the Daily Yonder reported. “Between 2011-2024, rural counties in Vermont had among the greatest occurrences of federally-declared extreme weather disasters in the country, per a Daily Yonder analysis of data from Atlas of Accountability, a disaster-mapping project of New York University’s Rebuild by Design initiative.”
The Trump administration decision came just a few days after Grist reported that Vermont lost track of millions in FEMA funding it received for July 2024 flooding as the state burned through cash faster than anticipated.
Vague contract terms, pricey consultants, and poor oversight appear to be at least some of the culprits.
For a $2.9 million FEMA grant, the state turned to Guidehouse, a $7 billion multinational corporate contractor. Guidehouse then turned to the New England Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church, or NEAC, to subcontract frontline workers.
“But that subcontract proved to be significantly narrower than what was in the FEMA agreement. NEAC would provide only four case managers, not seven, and just two construction coordinators, not three. Guidehouse would also pay the organization just $1,098,875 to get the job done, including a travel budget. That’s less than half what Guidehouse got from the state and what FEMA awarded for the work. It’s unclear exactly what the company’s plan was for the other $1.4 million, but the NEAC agreement lists six Guidehouse employees working on the project — a nearly 1:1 ratio with frontline workers.”
Inefficiency and overhead appear to be recurring themes when it comes to FEMA and flood recovery in Vermont.
Shortly before the July 2024 flooding, Vermont Public reported that FEMA spent more on administrative fees than assistance following the July 2023 flooding.
“Public records requests that show the agency had, as of March 4 [2024], incurred administrative costs of $78.3 million on a recovery mission that’s distributed about $43 million in individual assistance to flood survivors.”
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Categories: News Analysis
“Inefficiency and overhead appear to be recurring themes when it comes to FEMA and flood recovery in Vermont.” All that reliance on non-governmental organizations with their high overhead and sloppy accounting appears to be the main reason Vermont was seen as not deserving of all that federal largess. Isn’t it easier to just blame the orange hitler though?
You’re being too kind calling it “sloppy accounting.” Sounds like climate crisis grifting to me. Embezzlement of taxpayer money.
GOVIE the governor of Vermont, is passing out all kinds of free money to non profits in Vermont. How do you give taxpayer money to non profits??????? Comment from Richard Day.
The biggest mystery of all – how FEMA funds or Agency of Human Services funds disappear into black holes for decades. Some opine it is a laundering service and funds do not get to where or to whom needs it the most. Similar to all the charities and fundraisers that garner millions upon millions, but the problem remains with no recovery or assistance for the ones propped up as victims or survivors. Fraud, waste and abuse – absolutely. Those in charge of the public Trust have ignored it because there was always more where it came from – day of retribution is coming like a freight train. Unfortunately, some won’t realize it until it runs them over.
Red states that voted for Trump get FEMA money. States that did not vote for him, do not. How much clearer can it be? We have a president, steeped in corruption, who blatantly governs by his personal whims. Meanwhile, we have a Congress which shirks its Constitutional responsibilities.
Our Founding Fathers would be horrified to see what is happening.
You mean like delaying response and refusing help to areas that voted FOR Trump, had Trump signs or flags in their yards or those put on the FEMA list for supporting him or the GOP by Biden Administration, FEMA and FBI? ie.N Carolina
Maybe you should really reference FEMA refusing to give aid to homes with TRUMP signs on the property. FEMA was instructed not to go to these homes. The current administration expecting fiscal responsibility and oversight in the spending of federal tax payer dollars does not amount to denying funds due to political affiliation. The State actually created an extreme weather mitigation plan with FEMA. The progressive Vermont legislature refused to implement the plan, only implementing 30 percent of the infrastructure upgrades, which resulted I n millions and millions and millions of dollars worth of flood damage. There is a VRC article on this issue which was brought forward by the state auditor.
Your allegation is that funds are being withheld because of statewide voting habits?
It was a clear fact that FEMA agents were instructed by supervisors to not stop at houses displaying support for Trump…a policy which was much more targeted and specific than your unfounded allegation. Give me reasons that Trump is a “threat to democracy” and I will give you equivalent examples from the Biden and Obama administration.
Cost 78.3 million to put out 43 million in assistance ?!!!?
Follow the money!
Follow ever last penny and the fed is correct to defund VT until proper checks and balances are in place.
Stinks to high heaven.
It should be referred to FEMA Inspector General for WASTE,FRAUD and ABUSE! Anyone involved my use the Hotline !
Open the books ! Why would Vermont get more money to pilfer.WHO is accountable ? When will the Vermont citizens get to know where their money goes ? All the money !
I agree completely. Taxpayers need transparency and beurocrats need to be held accountable.