The federal government plans to distribute $2.5 billion to N.Y.,N.J., and cities affected by Superstorm Sandy in the third andfinal round of a flexible grant program, reports The Star-Ledger. Nearly $882 million has beenearmarked for N.J.; $606 million for N.Y. state; and $994 millionfor New York City. Connecticut and Rhode Island will also receivemore aid.

N.J. lawmakers are questioning why N.Y. has received more thantwice the amount of aid than their state. According to TheStar-Ledger, in the first two rounds of funding, the federalgovernment has allocated nearly $3.3 billion for N.J. and more than$7 billion for N.Y. and New York City. N.J. officials told TheStar-Ledger nearly $18 billion in unmet needs for housing,economic development, and infrastructure will remain after thesecond round of funding is spent.

A spokesman for Gov. Chris Christie said the administrationwould not comment until it received a formal announcementconfirming the amount it would receive, says TheStar-Ledger. Gov. Andrew Cuomo of N.Y. said in a news releasethat federal funds from the third round would primarily be spent oninfrastructure projects to blunt the effect of future storms.

Read more from Erin O'Neill at The Star-LedgerHERE.