Report warns Amendment 3 could strain local hurricane recovery budgets if FEMA cuts aid

A Florida Policy Institute report finds that if Amendment 3 passes and FEMA reduces its share of hurricane recovery costs, some Florida counties — including Bay, Sarasota, and Taylor — could see most or all of their annual budgets consumed by storm cleanup expenses. FPI Visiting Fellow Ethan Frey cited an estimated $3 billion in additional costs to the state just from the five largest recent storms, based on recommendations from the President’s FEMA Review Council. The analysis raises concerns about whether local governments could absorb costs that federal disaster assistance no longer covers.

Sources: WCJB TV20

DeSantis seeks federal approval to ban TANF funds for non-essential purchases

Governor Ron DeSantis announced Florida intends to become the first state to pursue a complete ban on Temporary Assistance for Needy Families recipients spending benefits on items deemed non-essential, such as tobacco, alcohol, and entertainment. The state is drafting a formal request to the federal government for the additional restrictions, with acceptable purchases limited to food, clothing, and medicine. DeSantis also pointed to Hope Florida’s Care Portal as an alternative pathway to reduce reliance on public assistance programs.

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Sources: WCJB TV20