Question

Federalism is one of the most important ideas in this section. Let's consider Federalism in the real world.

In recent years, there have been several major storms and natural disasters that have caused billions of dollars in damages to different parts of the United States. For example, in 2018 alone, Hurricane Harvey caused flooding damage in Texas and Hurricane Maria devastated Puerto Rico, leaving many without power for 11 months. The Mendocino Ranch fire, the largest in California's history, burned over 459,123 acres in late July of the same year, destroying 280 homes and structures. In Hawaii, Mount Kilauea erupted in early May 2018 and continued to spew rivers of lava all summer, destroying over 700 structures, wiping out roads, wildlife, and much of the island's lush vegetation in the process.
When disasters like these strike, we see Federalism spring into action as local, state, and federal governments join together to aid in the relief effort.
The question is:
Who do you think should be responsible for paying for the infrastructure (roads, bridges, government buildings, etc.) destroyed by natural disasters?
A) Local government (city or county) in which the damages occurred
B) Each state pays for their own repairs
C) The federal government pays
D) It depends on the specific circumstances

Answer 1

The responsibility for paying for infrastructure destroyed by natural disasters can vary, but the federal government often provides financial assistance to affected areas. State and local governments and private donations may also contribute to the costs.

Step-by-step explanation:

In the case of infrastructure destroyed by natural disasters, the responsibility for paying for repairs can vary depending on the specific circumstances. However, one common approach is for the federal government to provide financial assistance to the affected areas. This is because natural disasters often exceed the resources and capabilities of local and state governments.

In some cases, state and local governments may also contribute to the costs of infrastructure repairs. This could be through the use of state emergency funds or by coordinating with federal agencies to access federal disaster recovery programs. Additionally, insurance coverage and private donations may also play a role in covering the costs.

Overall, it is a combination of the federal government, state government, and local government that work together to pay for the infrastructure destroyed by natural disasters.