Local leaders in various states across the country have expressed dismay at a string of denials for aid from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, or FEMA.

In Wisconsin, county and municipal officials in Waukesha and Milwaukee county have spoken out about the denials and requested that Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers submit an appeal to secure aid to repair community infrastructure. Evers announced that he will submit an appeal on Wednesday in a press release. 

While FEMA has approved nearly $140 million in disaster aid to flood survivors, the agency under the Trump administration has tightened its purse strings and asked states and local governments to be more self-reliant when it comes to repairing government property and infrastructure.

Federal and state officials in Wisconsin have expressed frustration at the denial, with Senator Tammy Baldwin, D-Wi. accusing the administration of leaving “Wisconsin communities to fend for themselves”. (RELATED: Wisconsin Bill Proposes Speed Limiter Devices for Repeat Reckless Drivers)

Brian Hughes, a spokesman for the National Security Council, released a statement saying that states should have “adequate emergency management staff” and “an appetite to own the problem” of disaster response and emergency management, part of the Trump administration’s broader plan to what it sees as excessive spending from the federal government.

Local officials have also spoken out about the denial. Thomas Harrigan, a village manager in Elm Grove, which is a part of Waukesha County, said that his village was expecting the funds for repairs. (RELATED: The Milwaukee Hop Comes Under Fire After Accident Shuts It Down)

“To not have that financial support, which is something you would expect, especially from the federal government, we all pay taxes, at least you’re supposed to, and here we are without that additional support, so it’s very disheartening,” Harrigan explained.