{"id":2397777,"date":"2025-02-01T10:51:02","date_gmt":"2025-02-01T15:51:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/helene-appropriation-of-470m-in-relief-made-in-special-session-washington-examiner\/"},"modified":"2025-02-01T10:53:45","modified_gmt":"2025-02-01T15:53:45","slug":"helene-appropriation-of-470m-in-relief-made-in-special-session-washington-examiner","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/helene-appropriation-of-470m-in-relief-made-in-special-session-washington-examiner\/","title":{"rendered":"Helene: Appropriation of $470M in relief made in special session &#8211; Washington Examiner"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">26<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fhelene-appropriation-of-470m-in-relief-made-in-special-session-washington-examiner%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2397777&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>In a special session of\u2063 the Tennessee\u2064 General Assembly, lawmakers approved $470 million in relief funds to assist \u200cthose affected by Hurricane Helene, which resulted in 18 fatalities and destroyed 500 homes in northeast Tennessee, impacting over 5,200 households. \u200cThe financial package includes\u2063 the establishment of the Hurricane Helene Interest Payment Fund and the Governor&#8217;s Response\u2063 and Recovery Fund, aimed at <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/woke-head-of-teachers-union-told-to-revisit-schoolhouse-rock-after-posting-a-must-read\/\" title=\"Teacher&#039;s Union leader advised to review &#039;Schoolhouse Rock&#039; after sharing a recommended article.\">covering interest<\/a> on loans for recovery efforts and \u200csupporting agricultural losses, unemployment,\u2064 and business recovery in \u200daffected counties.Notably, $240 million will enhance\u200b the Disaster \u2062Relief grants Fund, with Carter County receiving $20 million specifically for rebuilding a high school. Additionally, a \u200b<a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/scandal-plagued-illinois-democrat-resigns-from-office\/\" title=\"Scandal-Plagued Illinois Democrat Resigns from Office\">property tax break<\/a> for residents in impacted \u200dcounties is \u200dprojected to save $4.6 million. \u2063The disaster\u200b relief measure enjoyed bipartisan support,in contrast to more divisive topics such as school choice and immigration reform. the session also saw the expansion\u2062 of the state\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/every-state-that-passed-or-expanded-school-choice-in-2023\/\" title=\"2023: More states embrace school choice.\">school choice\u2063 program<\/a> to all\u2063 counties and the introduction of stricter immigration laws, prompting a planned legal challenge\u2064 from the ACLU over concerns regarding constitutional rights.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Helene: Appropriation of $470M in relief made in special session<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_1963768\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p>(The Center Square)&nbsp;&ndash; School choice and immigration garnered most of the attention during the Tennessee General Assembly&rsquo;s special session, but lawmakers also approved $470 million in relief funds for those affected by Hurricane Helene.<\/p>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>The early fall storm swept through northeast Tennessee, killing 18 people and destroying 500 homes, according to information from the Senate Republican Caucus. More than 5,200 households were affected by the hurricane.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;What affects one part of Tennessee affects us all,&rdquo; said Lt. Gov. Randy McNally.<\/p>\n<p>Senate Bill 6003 created the Hurricane Helene Interest Payment Fund and the Governor&rsquo;s Response and Recovery Fund. The $110 million interest payment fund covers interest for communities that took out loans for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/miranda-devine-ex-hunter-business-partner-tony-bobulinski-takes-on-the-biden-machine\/\" title=\"Miranda Devine: Ex-Hunter Business Partner Tony Bobulinski Takes on the Biden Machine\">hurricane recovery efforts<\/a>. The bill allocates $100 million to the governor&rsquo;s fund that will help affected counties with agricultural losses, unemployment and business recovery, according to the bill.<\/p>\n<p>The bulk of the money &ndash; $240 million &ndash; will go to the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency to boost the Disaster Relief Grants Fund. Carter County received $20 million to rebuild a high school destroyed by the hurricane.<\/p>\n<p>Sen. Rusty Crowe, R-Johnson City, sponsored a property tax break for residents in Carter, Claiborne, Cocke, Grainger, Greene, Hamblen, Hancock, Hawkins, Jefferson, Johnson, Sevier, Sullivan, Unicoi and Washington counties affected by the storm. The comptroller&rsquo;s office would issue tax breaks, which are estimated to be $4.6 million. Residents have until June 30 to apply.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Hopefully this will ease the financial burden and also speed up the recovery efforts across communities,&rdquo; Crowe said. &ldquo;Many have lost everything and we need to do all we can to help ease the burdens they are facing.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Disaster relief received unanimous support. Lawmakers were divided over school choice and immigration.<\/p>\n<p>The Education Freedom Act of 2025 expanded the state&rsquo;s school choice program from three counties to all of Tennessee&rsquo;s 95 counties. The bill also gives teachers a $2,000.<\/p>\n<p>The state&rsquo;s new immigration law creates a Centralized Immigration Enforcement Division. The bill also creates a Class E felony for elected officials who vote in support of sanctuary cities. The ACLU said it will challenge the bill.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Threatening officials with felony charges and criminal prosecution based solely on how they <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\">vote raises significant constitutional concerns<\/a>,&rdquo; the ACLU of Tennessee said in a statement. &ldquo;This authoritarian legislation is incompatible with the bedrock American values of democracy and the rule of law, and we have no choice but to challenge it in court.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p> <script data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/cdn-cgi\/scripts\/5c5dd728\/cloudflare-static\/email-decode.min.js\"><\/script><script>!function(){var g=window;g.googletag=g.googletag||{},g.googletag.cmd=g.googletag.cmd||[],g.googletag.cmd.push(function(){g.googletag.pubads().setTargeting(\"has-featured-video\",\"true\")})}();<\/script><script>var _bp=_bp||[];_bp.push({\"div\":\"Brid_1963768\",\"obj\":{\"id\":\"27789\",\"width\":\"1280\",\"height\":\"720\",\"stickyDirection\":\"below\",\"video\":\"1963768\"}});<\/script><script defer src=\"https:\/\/services.brid.tv\/player\/build\/brid.min.js\"><\/script><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Tennessee lawmakers approved $470M in relief for Hurricane Helene<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2397778,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/zito-helene-2.webp","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[10643,41852,3777],"class_list":["post-2397777","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","tag-appropriation","tag-helene","tag-relief"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/zito-helene-2.webp","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2397777","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2397777"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2397777\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2397781,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2397777\/revisions\/2397781"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2397778"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2397777"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2397777"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2397777"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}