This week, GMA CEO and Executive Director Larry Hanson and Federal Relations Manager Molly McLoughlin met with high-level staff in the White House, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and Department of Transportation (DOT) to share Georgia cities’ federal policy and regulatory priorities.
FEMA: Reimbursement Delays
At FEMA, Hanson and McLoughlin met with the department’s intergovernmental affairs staff, the Director of Public Assistance and the FEMA Region 4 team, including the Regional Administrator. They discussed GMA’s top federal priority: outstanding FEMA reimbursements from Hurricane Helene damage.
Although the damage and clean-up operations occurred over a year ago, several cities have yet to be reimbursed—ranging from $10,000 to over $20 million still outstanding, putting some cities at significant legal and financial risk. They were encouraged by the progress made in processing payments but emphasized that the breaking point for some cities is near. GMA is also working with both Senate offices and the affected members of Congress to ensure each city is made whole.
White House: Data Centers & Housing
At the White House, they met with the Associate Director and Deputy Associate Director of Intergovernmental Affairs to discuss a wide range of federal priorities impacting Georgia cities. Hanson and McLoughlin highlighted the multifaceted perspective of cities on data centers and the infrastructure supporting AI, emphasizing that local control is essential as the administration seeks to expedite data center construction.
Although it didn’t make final passage, they also shared cities’ support for the Senate-passed ROAD to Housing Act, for which the White House announced their support a few days before the House vote. They emphasized that continued support from the administration for housing reforms will have a major impact on cities and their residents.
EPA: PFAS and Water Infrastructure
At EPA, the Senior Liaison for Local Governments, Principal Deputy Associate Administrator, and Federal Officer for Small Communities heard about GMA’s environmental priorities, including PFAS cleanup support and liability, data center construction, and clean water infrastructure and repair needs.
EPA staff shared new funding opportunities for states and cities, including $7 billion in newly available Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) funding for water system improvements.
DOT: Local Funding and Regulation Reform
At DOT, Hanson and McLoughlin shared GMA's support for a direct federal funding model for local transportation and infrastructure projects with the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Intergovernmental Affairs and congressional liaisons for the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA).
The DOT team emphasized the administration’s mission to continue cutting burdensome regulations for project implementation, noting they already cut 600,000 words from DOT’s regulations.
GMA will continue working with agency and congressional partners as the Surface Transportation Reauthorization process gets underway.