Florida Division of Emergency Management Applauds Governor DeSantis’ State of the State Address
Today, following Governor Ron DeSantis' State of the State Address, Florida Division of Emergency Management Director Jared Moskowitz issued the following statement:
"As we enter the 2020 Legislative Session, it's clear that Governor DeSantis and this Division are continuing to prioritize community recovery and resiliency, especially through proposals like the $25 million to continue the Hurricane Michael State Recovery Grant," said FDEM Director Jared Moskowitz. "In 2019, we accelerated funding to communities and distributed $1.4 billion, the most hurricane recovery money distributed in the Division’s history. We are looking forward to continuing this success in the coming Legislative Session and throughout the year."
In Governor DeSantis’ Bolder, Brighter, Better Future Budget, there are significant proposals to support Florida’s hurricane response and recovery, including:
- $1.4 billion in funding to communities for Open Federally Declared Disasters;
- $195 million for state operations to assist with Federally Declared Disasters related to the public assistance, hazard mitigation and disaster activity programs;
- An additional $25 million to continue the Hurricane Michael State Recovery Grant Program;
- $1.2 million for a statewide evacuation study to better prepare Floridians for evacuations;
- $750,000 to replenish inventory at the State Logistics Resource Center; and
- Planning funds for a new State Emergency Operations Center.
In 2019, under Governor DeSantis’ leadership, FDEM made significant progress for statewide hurricane recovery. This includes:
- By implementing new policies and procedures to accelerate funding for communities recovering, FDEM awarded more than $1.4 billion for hurricane recovery in 2019.
- To support Hurricane Michael recovery, FDEM awarded funding for communities in Northwest Florida through the Hurricane Michael State Recovery Grant Fund.
- Governor DeSantis requested and received 45 days of 100 percent federal cost share for Hurricane Michael debris removal and emergency protective measures.
- Governor DeSantis requested and received 90 percent federal cost share for Hurricane Michael.
- Governor DeSantis secured $380 million in grant funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture for Florida’s timber industry following the impacts of Hurricane Michael.
- FDEM paid out more than $200 million through the Citrus Recovery Block Grant to support citrus growers impacted by Hurricane Irma.
- FDEM hired Florida’s first Mental Health Response and Recovery Coordinator in state history.
Updated: Tuesday, January 14, 2020
