Buchanan says governor should help with Chinese drywall

U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan's office said Friday that the congressman has written to Gov. Charlie Crist regarding the Chinese drywall issue in Florida.

Buchanan urged Crist to conduct a damage assessment to determine whether an emergency declaration is necessary to protect the public health and safety of Florida residents.

”Under the Stafford Act, a governor must request an emergency or disaster declaration by the president, which would allow the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to provide rental assistance to homes that have sustained uninsured losses due to the use of Chinese drywall,“ Buchanan wrote. ”A damage assessment would provide you with the factual information necessary to request a federal declaration of disaster or emergency so financial assistance can be provided by FEMA to impacted homeowners and renters.“

Crist's office did not return a call requesting comment.