Marshfield: FEMA flood insurance delay bill blocked in Senate

BY 

JOHN PENNY

 – POSTED ON DECEMBER 13, 2013

POSTED IN: LOCAL NEWS

The Massachusetts Coastal Coalition met at Saint Anne’s Hall in Marshfield Thursday night, with some bad news regarding federal legislation to amend the Biggert-Waters Act and delay the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s proposal for huge flood insurance rate increases and expanded flood zones.

What was touted as a legislative slam dunk on the fast track is now in jeopardy, after Republican Senator Pat Robertson blocked a vote in the senate on legislation to delay FEMA’s enormous flood insurance rate increases.

Scituate Coastal Coalition member David Ball said he feels, “Angry, frustrated, disgusted and not happy. It’s a huge concern, because nothing now is fixed. We’re at the same place we were when this legislation passed in July 2012 and a lot of people are going to be facing some very serious financial consequences because of it.”

Massachusetts Coastal Coalition chair Joe Rossi said, “What it means for flood insurance is that until this bill is passed, people will still see, upon renewal of their flood insurance premiums, higher rates. If you get hit with a higher rate, you will not get a refund, even if the bill passes after your renewal date.”

However, the bill is still alive and coalition members remain hopeful it could be the first one up for discussion when congress reconvenes in January.