Rep. Andrade talks homelessness, infrastructure funding in budget
PENSACOLA, Fla. (FLV) – Rep. Alex Andrade, R-Pensacola, spoke with Florida’s Voice on the new state budget and how his district will receive significant funding for mental health and infrastructure projects.
One aspect of the state budget that Andrade is particularity proud of is the $6 million that will be put towards fixing many of the problems caused by Skanska, which is a contractor that caused “hundreds of millions of dollars” in damage to the Pensacola Bay Bridge.
Another large funding effort that Andrade pointed out was the millions of dollars that will be used for mental health treatment for those who are impoverished in the county.
“In Escambia County we have a huge issue with homelessness and a high demand on Baker acts and only one or two receiving facilities in the panhandle. You can drive for three hours and there’s only two options to take someone who’s been Baker acted,” he said.
“We have several million dollars to help relieve some of that pressure and demand on the system,” Andrade said.
Still on the topic of homelessness, the lawmaker highlighted how he secured funding for more public bathrooms – an issue that he believed was “important” to address.
“When you have a high population of homeless individuals in a small area and no public bathrooms, it becomes an issue for everyone. Especially those people who don’t have access to a restroom,” he said.
The representative mentioned that some of his main policy work during session was directly connected with the budget and allocating funds throughout the state.
“I was a subcommittee chair under appropriations. I controlled the DOT budget on the house side, the Department of Economic Opportunity budget, military affairs, state affairs, emergency management,” the lawmaker said.
WATCH: Rep. @RAlexAndradeFL disputes claims that Florida Republicans are "authoritarian" by enacting agenda
— Florida’s Voice (@FLVoiceNews) June 26, 2023
"We came back with a mandate and a supermajority. That's not authoritarian, that's politics." pic.twitter.com/abeJA2Ve5z
Some of his highlights during session included putting $100 million towards the state guard and “beefing up” election integrity.
“We put $6 billion more than last year, not $6 billion [total], $6 billion more than last year, into our road funding and infrastructure budget,” Andrade emphasized.
Andrade said that this funding is only possible because of “a good budget with a lot of revenue” and “a good partner in the senate.”
WATCH: Rep. @RAlexAndradeFL says it shouldn't be "necessary" to explain "you aren't allowed to bring a child to a live performances that exposes them to genitalia [and] sex acts" pic.twitter.com/CazkXTmSV1
— Florida’s Voice (@FLVoiceNews) June 26, 2023
