Southern Tier Lawmakers call on Gov. Hochul to Enhance Storm Recovery Efforts

ALBANY, NY (WENY) -- Several state lawmakers from the Southern Tier are calling on Governor Kathy Hochul to do more when it comes to the state's relief efforts after tropical storm Debby.

State Senator Tom O'Mara, along with Assembly members Phil Palmesano, Marjorie Byrnes, and Joe Giglio say Governor Hochul needs to strengthen the state's recovery and rebuilding response.

They're asking her for New York State to fully assume the local share of disaster-related costs. Additionally, they are asking the governor to eliminate the current income threshold for primary residences, amend the current aid program to include businesses, and extend the October 7th deadline for the Emergency Repair Grant Funding application by at least another 30 days.

The lawmakers say they've been advised that the current deadline doesn't give impacted residents enough time to get their information together and file an application.

RELATED: Grant Application Opens for NY Flood Relief 

The lawmakers wrote two separate letters to Governor Hochul. One urges Hochul to reconsider the guidelines of the Resilient and Ready Home Repair program. The other requests that the state update and strengthen the Department of Environmental Conservation permitting process, that would allow local highway and public works departments, along with Soil and Water Conservation Districts, as well as property owners to undertake stream and streambank maintenance and repair.