Malloy proposes disaster relief fund

EAST HAVEN, Conn. (WTNH) -- It's been three months and many are still dealing with the devastation from Hurricane Sandy. Governor Malloy is now proposing an answer that he says would speed up response in disasters.

Tonight the Senate will be taking up that bill to allocate funds to NY, NJ, and CT. Governor Malloy says that's good news but thinking ahead, in the event of another possible disaster, he doesn't want you to have to go through all of this aggravation so, today he made his announcement in East Haven.

Somewhere in the area of Cosey Beach in East Haven used to be Gerry Guarino's home.

"I lost half of it in Irene and the other, the whole thing came down in Sandy," said Guarino.

It's because of situations like Guarino's, Governor Dannel Malloy chose Cosey Beach to make an announcement that faster assistance for victims could be on the way without waiting for the federal government to act.

It's called the Connecticut Coordinated Assistance and Recovery Endowment Fund or CARE.

"The Connecticut Care Fund will provide a structure to accept private donations and philanthropy and would through an executive committee report on how that money is spent, how those funds are used and the support they lend to actual victims," said Gov. Malloy.

Separate accounts will be established, restricted to each emergency. Malloy says CARE will be a trusted spot for donors with no fear of being scammed and while those donations will pass through the state, 100 percent will go exactly where the donor insists.

Guarino says this is a great idea that will put all resident's minds at ease.

"I think it's a good idea and I think if it was in place earlier, it might have helped a lot of people who went through some difficulties," said Guarino.

Governor Malloy recognizes the outpouring of support that we've seen in natural disasters and the Tragedy at Sandy Hook, but it's time for something more.

"It's time for Connecticut to go in the direction other state's have gone in and that is to have a permanent fund set aside that can be activated at any moment and could carry a basic endowment in and of itself to be on the spot, to be supporting CT families in their greatest time of need," said Gov. Malloy.

CARE will require legislative action. Malloy will include this in his list of proposals on February 6. The Governor also says that February 12 is the deadline to file with FEMA for any losses from Hurricane Sandy.

For more information, visit www.governor.ct.gov/malloy/