Senate Quickly Passes Tornado Relief Bill

In early June, violent storms and tornadoes ripped through western and central Massachusetts. Left in their path were scenes of devastation on an unprecedented scale in our Commonwealth.

Having seen the damage first-hand during my visit to West Springfield, Springfield and Monson, I can tell you that the videos and pictures that we see in the news don’t even begin to really tell the story of the loss in these communities.

The storms and tornadoes swept across 19 communities, leaving at least 200 people injured and three dead. According to initial cost estimates by homeowner insurance carriers, the towns have reported $90 million in property damage, a number that will most likely rise as more claims are filed and reviewed.

The people in these areas have lost everything and, after speaking with local residents and families, I am impressed and inspired by their strength, positive spirit and determination to move forward. Our neighbors desperately need our help to rebuild not only their homes, but their lives.

I am proud to say that Thursday the Senate unanimously passed a supplemental budget to provide $15 million for the recovery of affected communities. The emergency state funding will help offset the costs of emergency response, clean-up efforts and providing temporary shelters for displaced residents.

Additionally, the Senate included a provision to permit cities and towns in affected areas to assess property values based on pre-storm conditions for the purpose of assessing fiscal year 2012 taxes. 

This funding is an important and necessary step in the recovery process. Our emergency workers and volunteers need our support as they continue their efforts to rebuild neighborhoods and businesses in these communities.

The tornado relief bill passed the House on Wednesday and will next go to the governor for his signature.

The federal government also announced this week that it will provide necessary aid for the residents and businesses hit hardest by the storms and tornadoes. This aid will include reimbursements for the costs of emergency response, debris removal and infrastructure damage.

The path to recovery for the affected communities is far from over and will continue to present both physical and emotional challenges for the people in our Commonwealth. Please continue to keep our neighbors in your thoughts as they begin to rebuild.