e-Brief
Statement
e-Brief
Dear Friends,
I spent most of August on a statewide tour of Florida so I could hear directly from residents and local officials about the issues that concern them most.
At these town hall meetings, many people expressed their frustration about the slow progress in making homeowners insurance both affordable and readily available. I've put forward a bill in the Senate to study the best way to tackle this and other issues related to relieving the burden on Florida homeowners. But while the federal government can play a role in this crisis, insurance companies are regulated by the state. I urge you to contact your state legislators and tell them we need quick action on this pressing issue.
In South Florida, I joined officials there to get a first-hand look at eroding portions of the Herbert Hoover Dike on Lake Okeechobee. Officials from the South Florida Water Management District told me they fear the dike may fail if the area is hit by a major storm. In Congress I'm pushing for the approval for more than $55 million to repair the dike. Meantime, I have been assured by the Army Corps of Engineers that it is working to stabilize it.
In Jacksonville, I met with Rob and Amy Bullock who bravely came forward to share their tragic loss and bring increased attention to the need for protections against hazardous toys from China. Last year, the Bullocks' two children were killed from carbon monoxide exposure that investigators linked to a toy plug-in disco light made in China--a country that produces an estimated 86 percent of all toys imported into the U.S. As the Bullocks' tragedy reveals, the safety net for children is full of holes, and our government isn't doing enough to close them. A bill I introduced in July would ban imported children's products if they aren't first tested and certified by an independent group. I'm hopeful cases like the Bullocks will spur the Senate Commerce Committee to quickly pass my bill so that it can come to a vote of the full Senate.
As we go back into session right after Labor Day, I'd like you to take a minute to fill out this comment form and tell me what you're most concerned about.
I'll read through your comments and post a sampling on my website in the next few weeks.
Source