By rssfeeds-admin 
On Wednesday, Jackson filed a lawsuit against the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for canceling a major disaster-preparedness program, known as BRIC, that was set to provide more than $200 million for infrastructure upgrades across the state.
The canceled projects include work to protect drinking water, upgrade sewer systems, and defend communities from floods.
The lawsuit follows a bipartisan push from North Carolina leaders, including Republican Senator Thom Tillis and Representative Chuck Edwards, who sent a letter urging FEMA to restore the funding. The BRIC program, which stands for Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities, was created to help states prepare for natural disasters before they happen.
FEMA launched it in 1997, and it was expanded under President Trump’s administration. But in April, FEMA unexpectedly shut the program down, leaving cities and towns scrambling.
Local impacts
In Salisbury, for example, the city was awarded $22.5 million to move a flood-prone water pump station to higher ground. Officials there had already spent $3 million preparing for the project.
Gastonia was set to receive nearly $6 million to restore creek banks and protect sewer lines from flooding. In Mount Pleasant, over $4 million was planned to improve drainage and secure electrical systems.
Jackson’s lawsuit argues that FEMA’s move violates federal law and the Constitution. He’s asking the court to block FEMA from using the money elsewhere and to force the agency to bring the program back. Jackson is joined by attorneys general from 20 other states.
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