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Federal Belt Tightening May Threaten Missouri Disaster Relief

Dan Verbeck
/
KCUR

Kansas City won’t be getting the volume of federal funding it’s been accustomed to  for preparation against terrorist attacks and natural disasters, said Sen. Claire McCaskill, meeting with Kansas City reporters.

The Senator said the mood toward smaller government will work against paying for disaster aid the way it has been since Sept. 11.

Kansas City has been excluded from a list of to 25 cities to get  public safety and disaster aid. 

McCaskill doubts funding will return for what many consider municipal responsibilities.

The Missouri Democrat said most funds to pay for disaster relief from the Joplin tornado was federal - “but you know what nobody in Joplin knew? Nobody in Joplin knew that was federal money.” 

McCaskill went on to say that the people in Joplin don’t know to this day that money to aid them came to the State through federal agencies.

Eight cents on the dime, McCaskill said, was federal, however  the mood against  federal programs prevails in Congress and many regions of Missouri.

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