According to state law, the governor is authorized to expend state funds to help state agencies and political subdivisions after calamitous events. Virginia Code 44-146.28 says the governor may provide for financial assistance to “eligible applicants located in an area declared to be in a state of emergency, but not declared to be a major disaster area for which federal assistance might be forthcoming.” The state’s emergency declaration expired Sept. 12.

In 2017, Albemarle County, the city of Charlottesville and the University of Virginia spent at least $540,000 on preparation and response efforts for the Unite the Right rally and a Ku Klux Klan rally held in the city in July.

When Virginia declared a state of emergency on Aug. 12, 2017, then-Gov. Terry McAuliffe set aside $600,000 for eligible state and local assignments. The city filed to recoup about $152,000 in costs from the state.

In addition to two state troopers who died when their helicopter went down in Albemarle County, one counter-protester died on Aug. 12, 2017. Officials said the nearly 1,000 members of law enforcement stationed in the area for the anniversary weekend were intended to forestall any repeats of violent clashes.

Ruth Serven Smith is a reporter for The Daily Progress. Contact her at (434) 978-7254, rserven@dailyprogress.com or @RuthServen on Twitter.

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