New York leaders are voicing concerns over former President Donald Trump’s proposal to scale back FEMA and shift disaster recovery responsibilities to the states, according to Spectrum News. Trump plans to “phase out” the agency after this year’s hurricane season, offering little detail on future funding.
Critics argue the move could devastate local preparedness efforts. Leaders like Erie County’s Mark Poloncarz warned that without federal support, communities would struggle to handle major disasters. FEMA provides not just recovery aid, but also essential planning and infrastructure grants.
New York’s emergency officials urged the federal government to invest in FEMA, not dismantle it, citing the state’s broad exposure to natural and man-made threats.