Gov. Haley has responded to the U.S. Secretary of State, John Kerry. Click here to read the letter: 2015.11.15.haley.kerry

November 16, 2015
The Honorable Nikki R. Haley
Office of the Governor
1205 Pendleton Street
Columbia, South Carolina 29201
Dear Governor Haley,
The citizens of Spartanburg County pleaded with you back in the Spring to halt the influx of unknown and unaccountable strangers into their community. The promises of the Obama Administration that it had vetted these individuals probably mirrored those given by the European Union to Parisians–and see where we are now. We simply cannot welcome potential terrorists as “refugees” from jihadist strongholds in the Middle East and Africa. Your record of support for this program must end–today.
I again join my colleagues in the General Assembly and implore you to cancel the agreement that you and the South Carolina Department of Social Services have made with third party groups to provide shelter to these potential terrorists. Your first duty is to South Carolina and her citizens. Please do not fail them.
Sincerely, Kevin L. Bryant, SC Senate District 3
To see the actual letter, please click here: 2015.11.16.haley.resettlement

It’s great to have the support of the state and local homebuilders!

October 21, 2015 For immediate release Contact: Chaney Adams, 803-528-7217

Public Assistance for Storm Damage, Response Costs Approved for Six Additional Counties
Federal Aid Will Help Local Governments Recoup Costs

COLUMBIA, S.C. – Public Assistance was approved by the Federal Emergency Management Agency for six additional South Carolina counties to help them recover from October’s severe flooding. This assistance from FEMA enables state agencies, local governments and certain private non-profits to recoup costs for storm response, debris removal, and infrastructure damage.

Lee County, not previously eligible for FEMA Public Assistance, has now been approved for all categories. Further, five additional counties are now eligible for all categories of the FEMA Public Assistance program: Clarendon, Dorchester, Horry, Orangeburg and Sumter Counties. Before now, these counties were only eligible for debris removal and emergency protective measures.

The FEMA Public Assistance program categories are as follows: 

• Category A: Debris Removal.
• Category B: Emergency Protective Measures.
• Category C: Roads and Bridges.
• Category D: Water Control Facilities.
• Category E: Buildings and Equipment.
• Category F: Utilities.
• Category G: Parks, Recreational Facilities and Other Items.

 The FEMA Public Assistance program is a reimbursement grant program. Typically, the federal share is 75 percent and the state or local governments pay the remaining 25 percent whereas eligible private non-profit groups are responsible for the full 25 percent.

Beyond FEMA’s Public Assistance program, FEMA also provides Individual Assistance, which is direct aid to residents who’ve been severely affected by severe storms and flooding in South Carolina. Flood survivors in Bamberg, Berkeley, Calhoun, Charleston, Clarendon, Colleton, Darlington, Dorchester, Fairfield, Florence, Georgetown, Greenwood, Horry, Kershaw, Lee, Lexington, Marion, Newberry, Orangeburg, Richland, Sumter and Williamsburg Counties can register with FEMA the following ways:

• Apply online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov.  
• Apply via smartphone at m.fema.gov.
• Constituents may call the registration phone number at 1-800-621-FEMA (1-800-621-3362); those who have a speech disability or hearing loss and use TTY, should call 1-800-462-7585 directly; for those who use 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS), call 1-800-621-3362.

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