FEMA broadens churches' access to disaster funds

[DonViejo]

Source: Politico




The president pushed for the policy change after Hurricane Harvey.

By JOSH GERSTEIN 01/03/2018 12:01 AM EST

Less than four months after President Donald Trump suggested churches should be able to receive federal disaster relief funds, officials have changed federal policies to make it easier for religious institutions to qualify for such aid.

With lawsuits pending in Texas and Florida from churches and synagogues challenging the limits, the Federal Emergency Management Agency announced Tuesday that it is removing language in its rules that often disqualified religious groups from aid available to other non-profits.

"Private nonprofit houses of worship will not be singled out for disfavored treatment within the community centers subcategory of [Public Assistance] nonprofit applicants," FEMA Recovery Directorate Assistant Administrator Alex Amparo wrote in a new manual released Tuesday.

FEMA said religious institutions could now qualify as "community centers" eligible for disaster grants, although facilities primarily used for "political, athletic....recreational, vocational, or academic training" will still be barred from receiving support.



Read more: https://www.politico.com/story/2018/01/03/churches-disaster-funds-fema-religion-establishment-321202

[japple]

1. Dang, I'll bet Joel Osteen will open the doors to his facility and probably

has a scheme all lined up to fleece the taxpayers.

[mountain grammy]

2. Take away their tax exemption, and I'd be fine with this.

[Girard442]

3. I'm sure the Church of Satan will get a nice grant.

[rurallib]

4. "Thoughts and Prayers" will now cost the taxpayers $$$$

[Javaman]

5. let the grifting begin! nt

[heaven05]

6. they already

have millions like that olsten clown with his mega super church...fuck this shit..what a joke-horrible joke this POtuS is...it is very obvious he is going to make the rich richer and all vets, seniors, struggling people poorer including many who voted for this POS and they will still, in their hate, ignorance and stupidity, kiss his ass. HITF after a President like Obama did things turn so quickly? I'll answer that, hidden ameriKKKan racism that many people are good at hiding NOT being hidden anymore because their POtuS told them they didn't have to anymore. Hate a n*****, it's ok, hate a gay person? It's okay. Hate an immigrant from any area of brown people in the world, it's ok, your POS potus says it is. Finally, ameriKKKa has shown it's true desired color....whites only please.....

[notdarkyet]

7. What needs to the community are churches providing to the community that

Warrants this money. I have at least twenty churches in my town of nine thousand. Two of them are now providing food boxes to the needy. With PR still devastated why is this money not going there? Priorities in this administration are FU.

[keithbvadu2]

8. More money for the Pat Robertsons and Jim Bakkers and their ilk.

More money for the Pat Robertsons and Jim Bakkers and their ilk.

[kimbutgar]

9. Wait until those ministers start buying bigger mega mansions and driving the newest Mercedes

All paid for by the American taxpayers. That money is not going to flow downward to those who need help but those ministers who support and push rethugs In churches.