Trump’s declaration of Maryland as ‘major disaster’ area could mean millions to help fight coronavirus
When President
That’s because it puts the state and local governments and area nonprofits in line to receive millions -- or even tens of millions -- in federal dollars as they quickly respond to the outbreak.
“This allows us to take every action necessary to protect the public without worrying about going outside the constraints of the budget,” said
The designation means the federal government will pick up the tab for Maryland’s emergency management costs and running local operation centers around the state during the response. Bulk purchases of food, water and medicine also could be covered, Eby said. Nonprofits that provide food and shelter to people during the emergency could be reimbursed as well, he added.
Eby said it’s too early to even guess at the cost of the state’s coronavirus response, given the outbreak could last months. But he noted the president also signed an emergency declaration that lifts a typical cap of
“All disasters really start and end locally,” Eby said. “These funds can ensure we have as robust as response as possible.”
Declarations of major disaster areas are typically due to natural catastrophes, such as floods or earthquakes, but the Republican president has wide discretion to make a declaration for a public health outbreak, as well.
Maryland’s last major disaster area declaration came in 2018 when the federal government awarded
Republican Gov.
Members of the guard are performing an wide array of functions in the state, including helping set up makeshift hospitals and delivering box lunches to people in need of a meal.
Trump has already approved the so-called Title 32 status for the guard in the states of
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