After 17 years in government, Lee County Commissioner Kevin Ruane said there is no other way to see what is happening in local efforts to keep a FEMA flood insurance discount for some policy holders of National Flood Insurance.
“I’ve governed now 17 years and seen everything firsthand. So it’s hard when you see the outcomes that you do not to come up with a conclusion. And the conclusion is very clear to me that this is truly politics at its worst,” Ruane said. “And unfortunately the people that were hurting, we’re going to hurt members in the same party as President Biden.”
A 25% FEMA discount is at stake for Lee County property owners, many of whom were hit hard by Hurricane Ian. Ruane expressed his frustration with officials in D.C., who he said are playing political games.
“I mean, it’s bad enough, you’re gonna hurt Republicans and you want to try to be spiteful, maybe. And I’m saying that’s a possibility. But now, you’re also going to hurt other people and people that need this discount,” he said.
Every Thursday, county officials hold a conference call with U.S. Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., to submit required documents to FEMA. The deadline for document submissions is Oct. 1.