Further Easing the Tax Burden on Yardley Residents, $500,000 in New Money Will be Added to the $614,000 that Murphy got from FEMA for Flood Damage in Yardley.

(Bristol, PA) - Today, Pennsylvania Congressman Patrick Murphy (D-8th District) announced that he has fought for and the House passed $500,000 in new money for flood damage in Yardley. This would be added to the FEMA money that Rep. Murphy secured for Yardley’s sewer authority to help pay for damages caused by the June 2006 flood. After months of working with Yardley Borough and FEMA, Congressman Murphy stood with Yardley Borough Council President Joe Hunter, Yardley Borough Vice President Katherine Cadwallader, Yardley Borough Manager Bill Winslade along with Bob White, Chair of the Yardley Sewer Authority to announce this new money. With the $500,000 in federal money and the $614,280 in FEMA funds, Murphy has now fought for $1.1 million for Yardley.

“Flooding has been one of my top priorities since I was sworn into office. I am proud that this week, the House approved even more money to ease the tax burden on the residents of Yardley Borough,” said Congressman Patrick Murphy. “Almost one year ago, families in Yardley and all along the Delaware River were forced to evacuate, faced devastating damages and since then have been forced to rebuild and seek help for the future. I am happy to report that help is on the way.”

“Congressman Murphy works hard for Yardley Borough and we are lucky to have him in our corner. I join the Yardley families and businesses affected by last year’s flood in thanking him for this new federal money,” said Joe Hunter, Yardley Borough Council President. “It is clear that Congressman Murphy knows how serious an issue flooding is to all of us. This money and the FEMA award he got last month will ease the burden on Yardley residents and businesses.”

Almost exactly one year ago, following the June 2006 flood, Yardley Borough was forced to borrow $6.4 million to cover the costs for repair to its badly damaged sewer system. Because Yardley was only set to receive $112,324 through FEMA’s Public Assistance Grant Program, the burden on taxpayers was significant. Now, with the $614,280 and the new $500,000 that Murphy has fought for, plus the original $112,324, the total assistance for Yardley will be over $1.2 million. This substantial increase will help rebuild the parts of Yardley’s infrastructure damaged by the June 2006 storm. It will also ease the tax burden on Yardley residents, who are footing the bill.

Additional Flooding Projects

• Congressman Murphy has established a Flood Advisory Board.
  • This is a group of local officials organized to advise Congressman Murphy on flood preparation, mitigation and recovery
  • The board will meet often to brief Congressman Murphy on local flood mitigation and recovery efforts. It will also suggest additional measures to address flooding problems in the heavily effected areas along the Delaware River in Bucks County

• Congressman Murphy is a cosponsor of the Flood Insurance Reform and Modernization Act of 2007, HR 1682.
  • This bill would provide a wide array of improvements to the flood insurance program including greater coverage for personal property losses, basement improvements and business interruption.

• Congressman Murphy is demanding flood mitigation procedures be set in New York’s Pepacton, Neversink and Cannonsville reservoirs.
  • The Congressman is working with other members of Congress, the Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC) and other regional partners to this end.

• Congressman Murphy is continuing to work with municipalities all along the river on a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers review of the Delaware River.
  • The Congressman hopes this review will result in federal funding for home buyout and elevation projects.

For Immediate Release, June 30, 2007
Contact: Adam Abrams, (202) 225-4276