With sponsor Ben Albritton saying, “cash is king when it comes to recovery,” the Florida Senate on Wednesday unanimously passed a bill that could help communities hit by Hurricane Ian and Hurricane Nicole.
The bill (SB 2-B) passed on the third day of a special legislative session and will go to the House, where it is expected to get final approval. In part, the bill would create a $50 million Local Government Emergency Response Bridge Loan Program to help local governments maintain operations amid hurricane damage.
Albritton, R-Wauchula, said the money is designed to “keep the lights on in places like Fort Myers Beach,” which was devastated when Ian made landfall Sept. 28 in Southwest Florida.
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The bill also would add $650 million to the state Emergency Preparedness and Response Fund, which Gov. Ron DeSantis can distribute.
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