Sens. Charles Schumer and Hillary Rodham Clinton yesterday announced the expected passage of a bill that could bring $900 million of federal aid to the state.
"This is part of the money we got initially - part of the $21.4 billion," Clinton said.
She added that this was the federal disaster relief money given to the state following the Sept. 11 attacks in 2001.
"[But] the money was in federal categories that didn't exactly suit the needs that we have in New York," Clinton said.
The senators said both Mayor Bloomberg and Gov. Pataki have come to them with requests for help, and with the passage this bill, it could be here very soon.
"What is it going to mean to New Yorkers? It's either going to mean taxes won't go up as much, or there'll be fewer layoffs," Schumer said.
This bill's passage would allow the city and state to use the money as needed without strict guidelines.
The city would receive $650 million and the state would have control of $330 million, Schumer said.
New York's two U.S. senators spoke following the Jewish Community Relations Council breakfast honoring Maryland Sen. Barbara Mikulski.
As a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Mikulski was instrumental in pushing this bill forward.
"Federal Emergency Management money usually comes through categories - often rigid, often inflexible and right now for New York they would be unhelpful," said Mikulski.
FEMA funds have historically been used for hurricanes and natural disasters.
But in this instance, the repercussions of the terrorists attack brought a whole new level of needs, she said.
"We hope that we will have this finally put to bed by the end of this week and the money will actually be available," Clinton added.
