Politics & Government

Christie Signs Ramos-Sponsored Bill that Accelerates Delivery of Infrastructure Recovery Money

The legislation, A4185, permits the New Jersey Environmental Infrastructure Trust to issue emergency loans to communities in need of rebuilding from or protecting against environmental disasters.

The legislation, introduced by Assemblyman Ruben Ramos, designates a portion of the New Jersey Environmental Infrastructure Trust's money to be held in a special disaster relief emergency fund that will be made available to municipalities immediately following a natural disaster.

Previously, the EIT had been subject to the annual budget cycle and could issue loans only once per year. With this bill's passage, communities devastated by natural disasters like Hurricane Sandy now have the opportunity to apply for smaller loans in off-cycle months as they wait for larger state or federal grants and loans to become available.

Find out what's happening in Hobokenwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

“This bill will be tremendously helpful for cities like HobokenJersey CityWeehawken, and other shore municipalities who need help recovering from and fortifying against hurricanes like Sandy," Ramos said in a statement. “Mother Nature doesn’t care about the budget cycle. This law will help bridge the gap between when a disaster strikes and when a city or town can take action to get back on its feet."

Ramos said the bill would also enable Hoboken to apply immediately for funding to finance additional flood pumps rather than having to wait until the next rounds of EIT funds are approved.

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