Politics
Florida congressional delegation to convene on hurricane resiliency
The Florida congressional delegation will convene in Washington to discuss the state’s recovery efforts and how to improve resiliency.
U.S. Reps. Vern Buchanan and Debbie Wasserman Schultz, Co-Chairs of the delegation, called a hearing for 8 a.m. Wednesday at the Rayburn House Office Building. The bipartisan delegation leaders said it was important for lawmakers to come together after three back-to-back hurricanes — Debby, Helene and Milton — struck Florida in a single year.
“Our constituents deserve the full support of the federal government as they continue to recover and rebuild from last year’s devastating hurricanes,” said Buchanan, a Longboat Key Republican. He represents a Gulf Coast district touched by multiple storms.
“Many of my constituents incurred thousands of dollars in disaster-related expenses, and we must do everything we can in Washington to help those still suffering. Our congressional delegation is committed to supporting those still rebuilding and prioritizing efforts to prepare for future hurricanes.”
Even parts of the state far from where storms made landfall saw damage from related rain and tornadoes.
“Thousands of Florida residents are still putting their lives back together after hurricanes Helene and Milton upended them last year,” said Wasserman Schultz, a Weston Democrat.
“Getting them fully back on their feet remains a top priority. And with the next hurricane season just two months away, I’m committed to working closely with our entire delegation to make sure Florida has the tools and resources we need, including stronger recovery efforts and better forecasting and preparation, to weather the storms ahead.”
A panel of experts from Florida and Washington will testify to the delegation, including Florida Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Mark Wilson, National Weather Service Director Ken Graham from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and Florida Chief Resilience Officer Wesley Brooks.
Florida’s congressional delegation includes both of the state’s U.S. Senators, Ashley Moody and Rick Scott, along with 28 House members. The House delegation has 20 Republicans and eight Democrats.
The state of hurricane response has drawn criticism from the left and right in the last year. Republicans criticized the Federal Emergency Management Agency over political discrimination after Hurricane Milton, a scandal that resulted in the firing of several supervisors. More recently, Democrats have criticized the Department of Government Efficiency calling for layoffs of hundreds of forecasters at the National Weather Service ahead of hurricane season.
The University of Central Florida (UCF) is celebrating its newest rankings out this week in U.S. News and World Report.
The respected publication rated 13 of UCF’s graduate programs in the Top 50 nationally, the school announced.
“Across our academic enterprise, we are investing in exceptional faculty, expanding research capabilities and deepening industry partnerships — all with the goal of preparing our students to excel in high-impact careers and to help address the world’s most pressing challenges,” UCF Provost Michael Johnson said in a statement.
Nine UCF graduate programs in engineering and computer science ranked in the Top 50, the school said.
“The U.S. News and World Report Best Graduate Schools rankings recognize the high quality of UCF’s aerospace engineering graduate program, which advanced seven spots and now is among the top 40 in the nation,” UCF said in a press release.
“UCF’s rise in U.S. News & World Report’s Best Graduate Schools rankings reflects our strategic commitment to becoming a national leader in engineering,” Johnson added.
The graduate programs getting accolades also included UCF’s emergency and crisis management program, which was named No. 1 in the nation, with counselor education landing at No. 9 and nonprofit management placing at No. 15.
In addition, public management and leadership earned the No. 21 spot, while public finance and budgeting was ranked No. 27. UCF’s public affairs graduate degree was No. 46.
UCF also received recognition for its health-related programs, which address a critical shortage in Florida.
UCF’s health care management program ranks No. 41 in the country, with physical therapy at No. 42 and speech language pathology at No. 48.
“UCF is the ideal home for graduate students looking to advance their careers and gain new skills in those fields and many others,” the school said in a press release. “In addition to working alongside world-class faculty, students benefit from the university’s location in Orlando and strong partnerships with industry.”
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