TALLAHASSEE — Gov. Ron DeSantis might not have joined President Joe Biden to tour Hurricane Milton damage, but he has state and local workers scrambling to ensure storm cleanup costs are covered by the federal government.
While in storm-battered Treasure Island on Sunday, DeSantis announced an around-the-clock debris removal effort. He also called on local governments to do the same, after Biden approved the federal government covering 100 percent of the debris removal work over 90 days.
“We’ve got a mission here on this debris. We’ve got 90 days of 100 percent reimbursement,” DeSantis said.
“Any of these cities, towns, even the counties, if you guys need help on this, in terms of the paperwork, look, it’s a pain, but our guys, we’ve got people that do this for a living, basically. And they can walk you through it,” DeSantis continued. “You’re going to be able to get a lot of money upfront, and … I think, make a big difference in the recoveries here.”
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State Department of Transportation Secretary Jared Perdue said 2,800 employees from his agency, the Florida State Guard, the Florida National Guard and the Florida Highway Patrol “will be picking up debris on state roads 24-seven.”
“You heard the governor,” Perdue said. “We’re going to do it. And we’re going to get this debris removed while that 100 percent reimbursement is available.”
Biden on Sunday made his second trip this month to view hurricane damage in Florida, seeing parts of St. Petersburg and St. Pete Beach, including views of the damaged Tropicana Field roof. Biden went to Taylor County on Oct. 3 to see Hurricane Helene damage.
Before leaving Sunday from MacDill Air Force Base aboard Air Force One, Biden told a pool reporter he didn’t speak with DeSantis while in Florida to see the Milton damage, before adding, “I think we’re making real progress. Everybody seems pretty happy with the way it’s going. We’re not leaving. … The next thing to do, we’re trying to make sure we get the money in there for small businesses; talking to the Congress to see if they can get the money quickly. It’s important.”
During both visits to Florida this month, Biden was met by U.S. Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla.
CHARACTER COUNTS
Bob Milligan, a Republican who served as state comptroller when the position was part of the Florida Cabinet, voiced support Wednesday for Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris as she runs for the White House against former President Donald Trump.
“I have a real problem with his international policy. But it’s all about character, as far as I’m concerned,” Milligan said of Trump.
“I mean, I can’t believe anybody would want to see him representing us as the president of the United States and as a world leader,” Milligan continued. “It’s just unbelievable to me, the way he kisses (Russian President Vladimir) Putin’s ass, has no respect for NATO, withdrew from an agreement that was to keep Iran in check in terms of developing nuclear weapons … and he’ll throw Ukraine under the bus.”
The comptroller’s office in 2003 was merged with the state treasurer into the chief financial officer.
As Republicans were becoming a dominant force in Florida, Milligan narrowly won the comptroller’s office in 1994. He was re-elected by a 21.2 percentage point margin in 1998.
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The 91-year-old Milligan, a retired lieutenant general in the U.S. Marines, was joined in announcing support for Harris by Mac Stipanovich at the Florida Education Association office in Tallahassee.
Stipanovich, who was former President Ronald Reagan’s campaign director in Florida and chief of staff for former Gov. Bob Martinez, said he was there “to appeal to Republicans and to independents who want what is best for the country.”
SOCIAL MEDIA POST OF THE WEEK: “It was great to stop by Kojak’s in Seffner for some BBQ today. They’re getting back to business after the storm.” — Gov. Ron DeSantis (@GovRonDeSantis) on Tuesday.
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