This article from titled Mitigation can save lives and reduce the cost of natural disasters was written by a Republican Congressman from PA, which is what makes it interesting to me. Some excerpts:
As the chairman of the Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management subcommittee of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, I am working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to explore ways Congress can help encourage mitigation practices that will save lives and taxpayer money from disasters.
Here in Congress, several members have offered approaches to facilitate mitigation and encourage the building of stronger and more disaster-resistant communities. These proposals include incentives for state and local governments to improve their building codes, which can reduce building damage and protect people from harm during a catastrophe. Other bills provide tax incentives to individual homebuilders or homeowners if they choose strong building materials and construction methods.
Another proposal would allow individuals to set aside up to $5,000 annually in tax-free accounts for disaster mitigation expenses.
While all of these measures need to be evaluated closely and evaluated for their impacts on taxpayers, they do share a common characteristic: they are incentives and not mandates.
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NOTE: Just this morning I had an exchange of emails with several of the key members of the Natural Iazards Mitigation Association. In this case the topic was safe rooms and who should pay for them.
Your comments are invited, as always.
Recovery Diva 