CRIST REQUESTS FLORIDA DELEGATION WORK TOGETHER ON FLOOD INSURANCE

Congressman Charlie Crist (D-St. Petersburg) formally requested that the bipartisan Florida Congressional Delegation meet on reauthorization of the National Flood Insurance Program, an issue that greatly impacts Pinellas County and residents across the state. This request comes on the heels of the Congressman's participation in the recent Pinellas County Federal Delegation meeting where the need for affordable flood insurance was discussed by local officials.

"Floridians depend on the National Flood Insurance Program to keep their homes and businesses covered in the event of a flood - made all the more pressing by the threat of climate change and sea level rise," said Crist. "Our delegation and its leadership understands the importance of this issue, and I look forward to our working together in a bipartisan manner to address it in a way that is a win for all Floridians."

Please find below and attached https://crist.house.gov/Components/Redirect/r.aspx?ID=232-466873 a copy of the request:

February 23, 2017

The Honorable Vern Buchanan

Co-Chair, Florida Congressional Delegation

2104 Rayburn House Office Building

Washington, DC 20515

The Honorable Alcee L. Hastings

Co-Chair, Florida Congressional Delegation

2353 Rayburn House Office Building

Washington, DC 20515

Dear Co-Chairs Buchanan and Hastings,

As senior leaders of the delegation, you fully understand how vital the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) is to the State of Florida and its residents. We are home to over one-third of all NFIP policies in the nation, and our residents pay nearly $1 billion into the program each year. In turn, the NFIP provides financial and personal security to homeowners and business owners in the event of a flood. As the threat of sea level rise increases, the need for accessible and affordable flood coverage only grows.

As you know, the NFIP is set to expire on September 30, 2017. It is imperative that our delegation works together to pass a reauthorization bill that reforms the NFIP so that it works for all Floridians, including working families. In that vein, I respectfully request that an upcoming meeting of the Florida Congressional Delegation be devoted to the subject of reauthorization of the NFIP, and more importantly, ways we can collaborate to guarantee the final product is affordable, sustainable, and thus a win for all Floridians.

I know this is an issue on which you share a keen awareness, and I appreciate your consideration of this request.

Sincerely,

Charlie Crist

Member of Congress

Read this original document at: http://crist.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=95