Waive the match: FEMA can save New York big bucks

The Federal Emergency Management Agency has been a godsend to coronavirus-stricken New York, sending millions of masks, thousands of ventilators, hundreds of ambulances and more.

The regional FEMA boss is Tom Von Essen, the FDNY commissioner during the department’s 9/11 nightmare, who’s made sure that we get what we need to survive this new catastrophe.

The aid flowed because President Trump signed a decree on March 20 declaring the whole state a disaster area eligible for federal assistance. However, the same law stipulates that the aid is supplemental and “any Federal funds provided under the Stafford Act for Public Assistance will be limited to 75% of the total eligible costs.”

So New York must pick up 25% of the bill. We don’t have 25%. We don’t have a penny; the city and state are in mile-deep budget holes.

Mayor de Blasio and Gov. Cuomo have asked again and again for direct aid to state and local governments, but Congress hasn’t yet agreed.

In his Oval Office meeting with the president today, Cuomo should ask Trump to help his hometown by issuing a waiver on the local 25% share. President Bush did it for 9/11. President Obama did it for Superstorm Sandy.

This one’s easy.

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