Cuomo Blames Anti-Fraud Regulations for Sandy Aid Delays
LAURA KUSISTO and MICHAEL RUIZ
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo said Wednesday that federal regulations designed to prevent fraud were one reason superstorm Sandy aid hasnt reached thousands of people who need it, in some of his most extensive comments on the topic.
This is taxpayers money, Mr. Cuomo said at an event at Bethpage High School on Long Island, where he signed an unrelated bill. We guard taxpayers money. And we want to make sure its going to people that need it and is in compliance with the regulations. So thats the balance.
The state has distributed aid to about 6,500 of 15,000 eligible homeowners, mostly on Long Islanda better performance than New York City and New Jersey, which have been criticized for their rebuilding programs. But some Long Island homeowners complain that they too are being held up by bureaucracy.
http://blogs.wsj.com/metropolis/2014/06/25/cuomo-blames-anti-fraud-regulations-for-sandy-aid-delays/