Gov. Ron DeSantis said Monday during a press conference in Kissimmee that Florida could handle emergencies without federal funds but still believes the federal government will grant states money to deal with disasters without oversight.
The governor has advocated for states to receive block grants to operate all aspects of emergency preparation and response over getting assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
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“We’ve got a big surplus. We would have to make adjustments to how we approach things, but I can do that, you know,” DeSantis said of the possibility of the Trump administration cutting disaster assistance. “Just let me know what’s in the best interest of the United States and, if it is, then Florida will respond very, very appropriately, but that would obviously require us to change a little bit about what we’re doing.”
However, he emphasized that he doesn’t anticipate Trump would eliminate FEMA without the federal government giving grants to the states. The governor’s comments came after the Trump administration cut nearly $300 million for flooding and hurricane relief projects across the state, according to the Tampa Bay Times.
House Democratic Leader Fentrice Driskell of Tampa called out the funding cuts during a press conference Monday morning.
“It really breaks my heart that these funds are being cut, because our area was completely devastated by the hurricanes that we saw last fall,” she said. “I know there are other areas of the state that were impacted, and in a time where we are experiencing stronger and stronger hurricanes and stronger natural disasters, it’s not the time to cut FEMA funding, not when our state needs it the most.”
FEMA last year approved more than $1 billion in individual assistance to Floridians following the destruction from Hurricanes Milton, Helene, and Debby. The next hurricane season starts on June 1.
Florida Phoenix is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Florida Phoenix maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Michael Moline for questions: info@floridaphoenix.com.
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igobye3959
Good plan, Ron. Cut taxes and still come up with $1+ B to replace what Donald in his “wisdom” has eliminated.
Wednesday, April 16 Report this
neal2k
I’d like a better definition of “handle”. The soon to be abolished NOAA and National Weather Service are predicting a heavy hurricane season. Having less money and information what could possibly go wrong?
Wednesday, April 16 Report this
N_Alice_Newlon
Did he ask our County, that just got $252.7 million Community Development Block Grant―Disaster Relief due to damage from hurricanes Debby, Helene, and Milton? If we have that much extra money in Florida's coffers, how about home more for our county.
I hope that Florida will see fit to be WAYYY more generous to our county and help us more with our roads and purchasing land for the environment.
Wednesday, April 16 Report this