TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — Throughout a televised cupboard assembly, Homeland Safety Secretary Kristi Noem mentioned she plans to “eradicate” FEMA however didn’t go additional into how that would play out.
Rep. Kathy Castor, who represents folks in Tampa and St. Petersburg, desires the Trump Administration to rethink these plans, particularly since FEMA remains to be aiding households after back-to-back hurricanes.
“Eliminating FEMA can be harmful and expensive for Florida households and companies,” Castor mentioned.
FEMA is a federal company that helps states put together and reply after disasters, like hurricanes. The company not solely helps households with particular person help, nevertheless it additionally reimburses municipalities for particles removing.
“There isn’t any means {that a} group going through disaster has the flexibility to maintain a search-and-rescue group on activity all 12 months lengthy or have a medical assistant group on activity all 12 months lengthy,” Castor mentioned. “To suppose you are asking the state to take care of and carry these prices for months, and months, and months. That simply would not make sense. That is not financially smart.”
Whereas on the Florida State Honest final month, Gov. Ron DeSantis introduced his help for overhauling FEMA and permitting states to take extra management.
“You have received of us with Milton and Helene who’re nonetheless battling FEMA,” DeSantis mentioned.
Rep. Castor says that is not a good suggestion primarily based on years of complaints from Floridians who’re searching for jobless advantages.
“We all know from the expertise of Florida’s unemployment compensation system that they’ve by no means been capable of ship aide in a well timed foundation,” Castor mentioned.
The newest numbers from Thursday present that FEMA has distributed $1.5 billion for particular person help in Florida from Debby, Helene, and Milton. $1.6 billion has been accredited in public help below those self same storms.
President Trump has floated the thought for a significant overhaul on how FEMA operates. He even created a FEMA evaluation council by way of an government order. As for modifications, Castor want to see not less than one distinction.
“They actually ought to enhance their customer support, particularly on the person emergency assist the place they usually inform folks they’re denied after they’re not denied,” Castor mentioned.
In an announcement, Rep. Gus Bilirakis, who represents coastal areas from Vacation as much as Homosassa mentioned:
“FEMA’s response to our latest hurricanes has been abysmal, with too lots of my constituents nonetheless ready for assist and solutions coming painfully gradual. I agree with President Trump and Secretary Noem that we have to take a severe take a look at shifting federal funding and decision-making again to the states. I imagine in native management – as a result of native leaders are extra accountable to these they serve. For instance, we’ve seen that the Florida Division of Emergency Administration (FDEM) has been far more efficient in assembly the distinctive wants of Floridians than FEMA. With extra flexibility and funding, I imagine FDEM might do an excellent higher job assembly the wants of those that are struggling and that may be a idea price exploring.”
Rep. Gus Bilirakis
