Senate President Ben Albriton’s rural renaissance package passed his chamber unanimously Wednesday for the second year in a row. But whether it will make headway in the House remains to be seen.
The package was held up in the House last year amid disagreements between the chambers. Speaking to reporters after the Senate's vote, Albritton said he’s hopeful that this year it will clear the legislature—especially, he says, because it has received backing from the Trump Administration.
“The federal government and President Trump's leadership is interested in a renewal, whether it's a renaissance or whatever you want to call it, but a renewal in rural America. So, I'm hopeful this year. I'm optimistic this year,” he said.
Sen. Corey Simon, R-Tallahassee, is sponsoring the bill. On the Senate floor before it passed, he said it will be a game-changer for many people in the communities he serves.
“They're just hard-working people, and honestly, they don't want to ask the government for anything, but there are things that are needed in these communities, roads that are torn down, water systems that are failing,” he said.
The $218 million package would have wide-ranging effects on rural Florida, including allocations for roads and affordable housing.
According to the Florida Department of Revenue, 29 of the state's 67 counties are considered fiscally constrained, meaning they don't generate enough local revenue to fund critical infrastructure on their own and are considered rural.
Editor's Note: This story was reported with support from Press Forward North Florida, an initiative of the Community Foundation of North Florida, is proud to support the Rural News Service through funding provided by Press Forward Catalyst Funds.