Trump is right. Let Florida handle disaster relief

President Donald Trump highlights our broken federal disaster system and the urgent need led by the nation. As former speaker of the Florida House Speaker, as executive director of the largest national coalition of flood-affected communities and elected officials, we agree.

The hundreds of billions of taxpayer dollars are in balance as the southeast stares closely at Hurricane Helen and a decade-long recovery from Los Angeles. It’s time for a new playbook.

Our combined experience – Leading the Florida House of Representatives and running the nation’s top adaptation nonprofits – The Trump administration and the 119th Congress have fixed broken disaster recovery systems to make it safer Presents a roadmap of immediate and long-term steps to guide, more prosperous America:

Reduce waste by streamlining access to disaster aid

The town in western North Carolina had no water from Helen for more than a month. Californians’ homes and livelihoods are on fire. At the worst moments of their lives, they should not bounce back between different agency websites and long waits. Instead, they need to upload information at one place at a time and receive relief so that they can reconstruct it. Congress should pass common sense proposals like fairness for bipartisan disaster survivors and simplifying disaster support to reduce federal deficits and correct the process.

A meaningless delay that will end that stall recovery

After a disaster, states and communities do not need bureaucratic headaches. But that is the reality of the U.S. Housing and Urban Development Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery Program. Now they have to wait for HUD to write new rules for all disasters. State and local governments need clear and consistent rules with the flexibility they deem appropriate. There are over 60 members of the new Government Efficiency Caucus, committed to the lean federal government. They need to rationalize governments and launch national power by permanently allowing the Community Development Block Grants Disaster Recovery Program.

Take advantage of American technology to respond smarter

The federal government checks for damage caused by disasters just like it did 50 years ago. Washington, DC, complete boring assessments to bore bureaucrats. We have satellites that orbit hundreds of miles on Earth that can detect grass blades, but after the hurricane, the government asks the community to give all the fallen trees to the Geographic Cooperative. Congress should instruct FEMA to leverage private sector technology to ensure a faster and more accurate damage assessment than is done correctly by survivors and taxpayers.

We defend our national security

America is the world’s largest military power, but our control is threatened by enemies and disasters. Fortunately, the Trump administration has adopted a new way of thinking and is working to the top federal officials housed on the National Security Council, focusing on strengthening our military and critical infrastructure. He has the talent to give him. In Florida, for example, the governor has appointed strong leaders to make residents safer and further taxes.

The administration and parliament must move quickly with these immediate victories, but they also need to seize the next long-term opportunity.

Trump is right – states should guide disaster response and recovery. The state knows how to direct federal funding, work together with local leaders on shared priorities and be ready to respond to the next disaster. Florida, South Carolina and Texas hold the reins in disaster management. Congress has already drafted bipartisan laws that give states the flexibility, funding and accountability that the states lead. Congress must grasp this wave of change, take charge of the state and pass the law.

Eliminate redundant programs

Federal officials bulge into more than 30 entities that own part of disaster recovery, all with different definitions and requirements. The complexity is incredible and benefits only for well-paid consulting companies that help wealthy states and communities navigate the maze. You need to dramatically reduce the number of federal chefs in your kitchen. Congress did it before – in 2012 there were reforms focused on efficiency, effectiveness and accountability, integrating the cumbersome system of 90 transportation programs into just 30. Congress should do the same with disaster programs.

Betting on American innovation by establishing a national research institute for resilience

Now we are slowing the world to disaster research and development. In addition to hurting the community at home, we are giving away the ground to Europe and China. American innovators should lead the world in developing new technologies and strategies to respond to disasters. Establishing a national lab focused on the solutions needed at home will allow the Trump administration to regain American leadership in this critical field.

By following this roadmap and Trump’s leadership, Congress can grab a once-in-a-lifetime window and overhaul its broken approach as a broken business to disaster. As more Americans are affected by these tragedy, we know that it is possible to make our systems more lean, efficient and accountable. Now is the time to do that. Americans rely on it.

Republican Chris Sprouse is the former chairman of the Florida House of Representatives. Melissa Roberts is the executive director of the American Flood Coalition.