New resiliency committee hopes to reduce barriers to hurricane recovery

TALLAHASSEE, Florida. Florida’s new resiliency committees will begin delving into their core concerns Wednesday and Thursday, listening to those affected by the hurricanes and figuring out how best to prepare the state for the next major storm.

The House and Senate versions of the “Hurricane Resilience and Recovery Select Committee” and “Resiliency Select Committee” respectively are new for the upcoming session. Both have a two year lifespan. Those tasked with leading lawmakers’ groups say they expect decisions as well as recommendations.

Chairman Senator Ben Albritton, R-Bartow, said his first goal would be to figure out what Hurricane victims Ian and Nicole are struggling with as they try to put their lives together — and fix it.

“It will be about storm recovery with a focus on resilience,” Albritton said.

The senator hoped that MPs could come up with a list of recommendations to the Legislature this year that might help speed up the renovation process. At the same time, he wanted to see how Florida could improve during the next major storm.

“When we look at fault tolerance, let’s find out when we restore, how to restore better,” Albritton said. “Therefore, we are more resilient to storm events.”

E. W. Scripps

It’s part of the committee’s long-term goals, figuring out how to protect the entire state from severe weather, roads, beaches, buildings, etc. Albritton expected members to look at the bigger picture in 2024, and the Democrats sound like they’re on board.

“We will work hard with you to make this a 21st-century destination, a place to live, and get it out of the third world with its pipes and infrastructure,” said Sen. Jason Pizzo, D-North Miami, who serves as vice chairman. committee.

Pizzo said this during the first sustainability meeting earlier this month. He felt that the committee would give the parties an opportunity to find common ground on the divisive issue of climate change.

“Both sides can now accept that there is climate change and sea level rise,” Pizzo said. “If we want to keep and keep this place – we have to spend a little money and a little effort.”

On the other hand, activists and environmental groups have been frustrated by the GOP’s emphasis on sustainability. They often say that it eliminates the symptoms of climate change, but not the cause. They have criticized Republicans for not seriously considering limits on carbon emissions or reducing fossil fuel use.

Albritton said he would be open-minded but feared that the changes could affect individual freedoms and suggested they would not make much of a difference.

“I don’t want to punish Floridians for something that is a global problem,” the Republican said. “There are probably people who will be upset by what I just said, but I believe that what I just said is common sense.”

House and Senate committees will continue to meet regularly in the coming months. Their first round of recommendations is expected after the Houses vote on March 7.