“For too long, FEMA rules have shortchanged Buffalo and other snowy cities by making it extremely difficult to receive federal assistance for snow removal. These unfair rules end up burdening local taxpayers with the cost of disaster recovery, while communities that experience other severe weather events receive ample federal aid. After experiencing four major, disruptive snowstorms in two winter seasons, it's obvious that Western New Yorkers need and deserve more federal assistance.

“In December, I led a call with almost three dozen of my colleagues for FEMA to change its rules to fairly compensate snowy communities. I thank Mayor Brown for calling attention to this issue and thank our tireless public works and highway employees for working so hard to keep our roads clear and our residents safe.”