In correspondence with the Department of Housing and Urban Affairs (HUD), Western Governors expressed appreciation for the agency’s commitment to improving the Community Development Block Grant – Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) Program. The letter of Feb. 28, signed by WGA Chair Gov. Jared Polis and WGA Vice Chair Gov. Mark Gordon, included recommendations to enhance the program’s funding formula to better support disaster recovery, preparedness, and hazard mitigation across the West. “Federal, state, territorial and tribal efforts to prepare for, mitigate against, respond to, and recover from emergencies and disasters must ensure programs and response efforts are inclusive, equitable, and accessible and representative and reflective of the affected communities,” the letter stated. Read the full letter for more details.