Infrastructure

The recent column “Florida Infrastructure Could Be Paid for By Airline Passengers” overlooks several important facts about increasing the Passenger Facility Charge (PFC) or airport tax.

On Tuesday, the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) announced that $85 million is available to local governments in communities impacted by Hurricane Irma through the Rebuild Florida Infrastructure Repair Program. Hurricane Irma hit the Sunshine State back in September 2017.

Several polls have shown that voters from across the political spectrum are ready to improve America’s infrastructure--but there are questions about how it will be paid for.

Officials from across Florida applauded the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) for announcing this week that it will award Space Florida $90 million for an Infrastructure for Rebuilding America (INFRA) grant to replace the Cape Canaveral Spaceport Indian River Bridge with new, twin high-level bridges.

U.S. Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., and U.S. Rep. Jenniffer González-Colón, PNP-PR, sent a letter to Trump asking the Administration to appoint a federal coordinator to oversee responsible implementation of Puerto Rico’s disaster funding. The coordinator will ensure disaster relief funding gets to the Island’s families in a transparent and efficient manner.

This week, Yoho announced that Putnam County is getting more than $1.45 million in Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) funds for drainage improvements along St. Johns Avenue in Palatka.

“As electric cars become more prevalent on our roads and highways, the development of these charging stations is essential to the success of our ever-evolving transportation system,” said DeSantis.

On Tuesday, Gov. Ron DeSantis announced that more than 20 small and rural communities across the state will be getting funds through the Florida Small Cities Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program.

The bridge provides a critical link between Kennedy Space Center, Cape Canaveral and State Road 405, especially in the transportation of significant payload components.

A recent guest column by Danielle Snitker of the now defunct Liberty First Network contained the usual series of misunderstandings, false statements and outright lies that we have come to expect from Florida’s monopoly utilities and their paid advocates.  

U.S. Commerce Sec. Wilbur Ross announced the Economic Development Administration (EDA) is sending a $12.25 million grant  for “critical infrastructure improvements needed to establish a maintenance training facility at Pensacola International Airport.”

These grants can be used by local governments to purchase homes damaged by Hurricane Irma from willing homeowners in high-risk flood areas or to match funding for the Federal Emergency Management Agency Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP).