The Courier - June 12, 2008

Pallone's bill

    Rep. Frank Pallone Jr., D-N.J., recently spoke about his proposed legislation during the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Open House in Keansburg on June 13.
    Pallone said he would be introducing a bill in Congress within a few weeks that would do three things, if passed.
    First, Pallone said the bill would place a moratorium on the implementation of the new Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs).
    Next, Pallone said the bill would also provide a tax credit to offset the cost of flood insurance for people who are placed into a flood zone for the first time.
    Finally, the proposed bill would provide grants for communities to conduct upgrades to improve their community rating.
    The veteran congressman did note, however, that if his office does not have strong support from other parts of the country that are experiencing the same problem, it would be very difficult to pass the bill. "I don't know what [the bill's] chances are," Pallone said.
    The congressman said he is introducing the bill because of the flood map situation in the Bayshore and also after speaking with residents that have called his office.
    Pallone said the problem he has is that congressmen have not encountered this situation in their own own communities. "I'm [finding that] a lot of other congressman [are not experiencing] the same impact we're having [in the Bayshore]," he said.
    The congressman said this is just the beginning. "[My office] still wants to hear from [residents]," he said. "We're not just leaving it on the individual appeals process. We're still trying to do things in a collective sense in the whole Bayshore."
    "[I] want to follow up [on the open house] in a meaningful way," Pallone concluded.

To view a video series of Pallone questioning FEMA and explaining his legislation, visit: www.simplysable.blogspot.com

- Melissa L. Gaffney