Feds turn tables on Florida Gov. Rick Scott, deny storm money

Tampa-St. Petersburg Times ^ | September 22, 2012 | Toluse Olorunnipa

[Cincinatus' Wife]

TALLAHASSEE — Time after time since taking office, Gov. Rick Scott has boasted of rejecting billions of dollars from the federal government. Now, Washington has turned the tables, shutting down Scott's plea for financial aid in a move that almost instantly took on political tones.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency refused Scott's request for a presidential declaration of disaster for damages caused by Tropical Storm Isaac, declining to provide $26.9 million in aid to hard-hit counties.

Scott moved this week to appeal the decision, but not before the issue was cast in a political light, highlighting Florida's importance in the presidential election and the rocky relationship between Washington and the Sunshine State.

.....[Chris] Fugate [FEMA director], who served as director of the Florida Division of Emergency Management from 2001-09, this week let Scott know his request had been denied.

Fugate's letter stated that the damage was not severe enough to require federal aid, and basically argued that Florida could handle the costs on its own.

The rejection is the latest dust-up in a tenuous relationship between Scott and the federal government.

Shortly after coming into office, Scott rejected more than $2 billion in federal funds aimed at building a high-speed rail line. Obama criticized Scott for the snub, saying he thought it was "wrong."

Scott helped support the U.S. Supreme Court challenge to Obama's federal health care reform this year. When the Supreme Court upheld most of the law in June, Scott said Florida would not accept billions of federal dollars to expand Florida's Medicaid rolls.

Scott also has battled Washington over early voting changes and purging noncitizens from the voter rolls.......

[Cincinatus' Wife]

Obama is giving Florida the Texas treatment - the federal finger.

If states don't take federal money, be it for education, health care, etc (and the rules and regulations attached to weaken states rights and obligate them to unfunded mandates), or cause them any political heartburn that costs them time and effort to fight, the feds will keep your money and give it to those who will obey their dictates - and tie you up in court (using your money to fight the citizens of your state, who don't have deep pockets like the feds).

[yoe]

Blackmail Federal style.......

[Gaffer]

If I were Romney’s Super PAC, I’d be making a commercial to blanket Florida with this for the next couple of months.

Yes sir, blanket the state....

[poobear]

Scott did the right thing rejecting the funds for the rail and money to set up the “healthcare exchanges”. Both would have left Florida holding the bag for countless billions in the future. So Feds, I give you my finger! H@ll take two!!

[WebTalk]

And how does this help Obama win Florida???

Obama must think that $27 million won’t buy him enough votes to seal the deal and carry the state.

[SueRae]

Out of sheer petulance. Just like Texas.

5 more weeks. Send this, the worst administration in history, packing.

[Spktyr]

Seize Federal property in Florida. Auction it off until the money is raised. Problem solved.

[Candor7]

This will be sure to earn Obama votes in Florida! / S

Obama’s world of liberal fascism is beginning to unravel as the People begin to discover who Obama really is, a fascist in sheeps clothing.

[Ann Archy]

If you aren’t a DEmocrat you won’t get any HEALTH CARE down the road if Obamacare is allowed to stand!!!!

[Gatún(CraigIsaMangoTreeLawyer)]

“Seize Federal property in Florida. Auction it off until the money is raised. Problem solved.”

Excellent idea!!!

[Hieronymus]

We are fortunate that all of the clowns in Washington are far too stupid to be the antiChrist.

[<1/1,000,000th%]

Same policy FDR used.

[BilLies]

How did that work out in 1861?

[mkjessup]

Seize Federal property in Florida. Auction it off until the money is raised. Problem solved.

EXCELLENT. Start with the federal courthouse buildings. Padlock them, post Florida Highway Patrol officers at every entrance, and let the auctions begin!

[SeminoleCounty]

This was actually stupid of Scott to beg the Feds for money....while bragging about “not taking federal funds”. Duh...of course now Obama and the Feds will stiff you.

And, I guess pandering to all the Black Racists, having George Zimmerman locked up for self-defense, did not help either.

The GOP needs to stop giving the Dems political fodder...and the GOP needs to stop the “Socialist when we feel like it” nonsense

Scott needs to be primaried out in 2014...or the GOP will lose the Governors Mansion

[Cincinatus' Wife]

With posters like you who needs Dem political fodder?

[freeangel]

“Obama is giving Florida the Texas treatment - the federal finger. “

Part of the enemies list he denies having.

[God luvs America]

seriously...this could and should be used against obama in Florida...

[txrefugee]

There is no benefit to be part of the U.S.A. if you don’t vote for Democrats. And this flop of a president wants to lecture Romney on being “president of all the people”....that is, except TX and FL and other states who dare to oppose The First Dictator. Democrats can’t give out disaster aid for TX wildfires and FL hurricanes because they need that money to buy votes in the Red States.

[Eye of Unk]

The governors should write a state law giving complete amnesty to all those refusing to obey Obamacare.