Voters care about disaster preparedness just as much as relief
Based on Anderson, S.E., DeLeo, R., and Taylor, K., Legislators do not harness voter support for disaster preparedness. Risk Hazards Crisis Public Policy. https://doi.org/10.1002/rhc3.12261 (2022).
Voters are more interested in disaster preparedness funding than previously understood. Legislators can harness this to better reflect voter preferences and increase their chances of reelection.
The Policy Problem
Current disaster preparedness spending does not keep pace with the escalating severity of climate-fueled natural disasters, leaving communities vulnerable. Legislators typically think that the public cares more about programs that offer help after disasters, over programs that help communities anticipate and prepare for them. This leads legislators to prioritize relief spending, assuming that it will increase their likelihood of reelection. However, research indicates that agencies are underfunding disaster preparedness programs, especially in the face of climate change and because experts estimate that $1 more of investment in preparedness would mitigate future damages by $4–$15. Are legislators correct in assuming that the public is more supportive of disaster relief than preparedness or are they misreading their constituents?
Key Findings and Proposed Solutions
Voters prefer increased funding for both disaster preparedness and relief, and legislators should harness this newly-understood support.
Legislators are responsive to perceived voter preference for disaster spending, but are still more willing to spend on relief than preparedness.
Past disaster costs at the state level can influence voters to support preparedness spending without modeled estimates for future impact.