Declarations

Road Safety Projects

“Strengthening vital infrastructure across the state is critically important to ensuring the safety of our communities, both today and for future generations.”

—New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo on road safety projects. Cuomo announced on June 10 that New York is receiving more than $75 million in federal transportation funds for 33 projects around the state, including work to widen roads, and to install turn lanes, sidewalks, crosswalks, bike lanes and rumble strips.

Absolutely Gone

“More than half of the town is gone — absolutely gone. … The co-op is gone, the grain bins are gone, and it looks like almost every house in town has some damage. It’s a complete mess.”

—Stanton County Commissioner Jerry Weatherholt after a storm packing rare dual tornadoes tore through Pilger, a tiny farming town in northeast Nebraska. Two people were killed and at least 19 were taken to hospitals. Pilger’s 350 residents evacuated their homes after the powerful twisters slammed the area on June 16.

Something Else

“We just can’t take on the responsibility anymore. … It used to be a little parade; now it’s hundreds of people and boats. It’s not necessarily a parade anymore. It has evolved into something else.”

—Attorney Marc Barker of Jarreau, La., a member of the family who organizes the popular False River Fourth of July Boat Parade in Louisiana’s Pointe Coupee Parish, says the family will no longer sponsor the parade because of new pressure from the state to obtain liability insurance and provide adequate security patrols. The boat parade has been a local tradition for more than 30 years.

Significant Burden

“We are currently reviewing the proposed legislation in detail, but it’s clear that the bill timeline is much more aggressive than our plan. … [E]xcavation at one of our largest sites could take up to 30 years.”

—Duke Energy spokesman Jeff Brooks said complying with a 15-year deadline in proposed state legislation to close all of its North Carolina coal ash dumps would place a significant burden on the $50 billion company. The measure would require Duke to remove its 100 million tons of coal ash now stored in 33 unlined pits across the state or seal it in place by 2029.