A somewhat scaled-back flood aid package for shoreline owners and businesses and governments has been approved in the state Legislature and has Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s blessings.
State Sen. Pam Helming, R-54, Canandaigua, announced this past week passage of her legislation creating a new flood recovery grant program in response to historic flooding across the southern shore of Lake Ontario, which has left communities such as Sodus Point under water in spots.
The legislation would establish a $45 million grant program for homeowners, small businesses, farms, owners of multiple dwellings, homeowners associations, non-profit corporations, and municipalities. It also provides storm damage relief for Monroe County as a result of a severe wind storm that occurred in March.
The revised legislation, originally pegged at $90 million, was passed following Senate and Assembly majority leader meetings with Gov. Andrew Cuomo who, while supportive of efforts to help shoreline communities, had “technical issues” with the legislation, most notably a funding source.
