TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — Gov. Ron DeSantis stopped by on Thursday to help launch the Florida State Fair in Tampa, and while he was there he attended the annual governor’s luncheon.
That’s where he talked about two issues that have recently attracted the attention of the public.
The governor has announced his support for President Donald Trump, who is trying to remove FEMA as an intermediary after the disaster.
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“We have Milton and Helen people still fighting FEMA,” DeSantis said. This can be managed faster. ”
As of Wednesday, so far, FEMA approved more than $620 million in personal assistance for Floridians after Hurricane Milton. More than $680 million after Hurricane Helen.
The idea was originally proposed by President Trump, who was visiting western North Carolina last month.
“I would recommend that FEMA leave, and we will pay directly, and we will pay the state a percentage. The state needs to fix this,” Trump said.
Sen. Michael Bennett, from Colorado, interpreted those statements as removing agencies that require Congressional approval. Democrats are also concerned that some states may not be able to manage the disaster themselves.
“So, if we have one reason for the nation under God, it’s to deal with disasters,” Bennett said. “So we shouldn’t get rid of it.”
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The governor said that wasn’t President Trump’s intention. He said FEMA could give states a lump sum, like Florida, allowing leaders to manage the operational and financial aspects of the disaster.
“If a disaster occurs, you can usually ingest that amount. You send 80% of that block grant to the state, completely reducing FEMA’s bureaucracy, and that money is more than it would experience. “FEMA bureaucracy can go further than going in bulk,” DeSantis said.
The governor also agreed that the Government Efficiency (DOGE Bureau) should reduce spending at federal agencies and significantly reduce regulations.
“Doge is like the first real, important invasion into the invincible aura of bureaucrats,” Desantis said. “What Elon is doing is really good. I think it’s great to see a lot of corruption intact.”
Republicans have welcomed Doge’s work to shut down major government humanitarian agencies, reduce the federal workforce through acquisitions, and terminate subscriptions to certain media.
Desantis is keeping an eye on federal agencies and denounces Congress, including members of his own party, for not cutting spending.
“After looking at the last 15 years, Republicans have more control over the U.S. House than Democrats control the House, and that’s where the wallets are powerful,” DeSantis said.
Lindsay Cross, a Democratic state lawmaker representing St. Petersburg taxpayers, asks questions that are overseeing Doge.
“It’s just causing so much uncertainty and chaos,” Cross said.
Cross Cross fears that the department could cut too much money and have too many regulations that could hurt businesses and nonprofits.
“It’s easy to think that we just have this big federal government and we need to cut all this fat. But a lot of this money is private to support these missions. It’s sent to industry,” Cross said.
