SUMMARY: The storm problem is not going away, with flooding becoming more frequent and severe. Homeowners, like one who has flooded four times, are struggling with FEMA’s slow process for assistance, including home elevation or second-story construction. Florida has limited participation in FEMA’s flood mitigation assistance (FMA) program, and many cities lack the manpower to manage it. One homeowner’s experience includes being told to stop emailing FEMA while feeling helpless. Despite the challenges, the program does work for some. In St. Petersburg, 12,000 homes were affected by flooding, and 6,000 in Milton by wind, with residents fearing future storms.

FEMA lift money is a process that can be difficult for homeowners. @abcactionnews@abcactionnews reporter Michael Paluska discussed the process with a homeowner and the city floodplain manager who oversees the process.

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SUMMARY: Rep. Susan Valdés, a Tampa lawmaker, switched from the Democratic Party to the Republican Party, prompting mixed reactions. Valdés expressed frustration with the Democratic leadership’s approach, stating she wouldn’t ignore her constituents’ needs in her remaining term. Republicans celebrated her move, with Florida’s governor congratulating the GOP, while Democrats accused Valdés of political opportunism, highlighting that she was re-elected as a Democrat. Critics pointed to significant shifts in her district’s voting patterns and expressed disappointment in her departure from the Democratic caucus, labeling the change as deceptive and detrimental to public trust in politics.

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SUMMARY: Florida State Senator Randy Fine has re-filed a bill to eliminate in-state tuition for undocumented students, including many DACA recipients, despite opposition from some Republicans and Democrats. The proposal, which could save the state $45 million annually, aims to remove benefits granted in 2014 to students who have attended at least three years of high school in the state. Critics argue the bill is unfair to students like Maria Tinoco, a recent FIU graduate, while supporters claim it discourages illegal immigration. The bill’s future depends on legislative leaders, with Governor Ron DeSantis listing it as a goal in 2023.

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