Florida Republicans accuse President Biden of ‘short-changing’ the state on funds for bridge repairs

ORLANDO, Fla. — Florida will receive roughly $245 million for bridge repairs through President Biden’s infrastructure bill, but Republicans say it’s not a fair share.

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$27 billion of the funding from the bill has been set aside to upgrade bridges nationwide over a five-year period.

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According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, there are 408 bridges in Florida that are in poor condition.

Governor Ron DeSantis says Florida is being “short-changed” with the $245 million set aside for those repairs.

“If they are giving money to states, then I am going to fight for Florida’s fair share of that,” DeSantis said in a statement.

Florida does have fewer bridges in poor condition than other large states that are receiving more funds.

Both California and New York have more than 1,500 bridges in poor condition, according to the Department of Transportation.

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Florida’s Republican Senators Marco Rubio and Rick Scott agree with DeSantis.

Both signed on to a letter to Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg asking the federal government to reconsider Florida’s funding.

In response, Buttigieg pointed to the other ways Florida stands to benefit from the bill.

“There are so many funds that are going directly to Florida transportation improvements,” Buttigieg said. “Not to mention funds that will be available for improving ports, airports, and so much more. Florida’s going to see huge improvements thanks to this bill.”

The Department of Transportation says the $245 million Florida will receive won’t go exclusively towards improving the state’s bridges in poor condition.. It will also be used to upgrade more than 4,000 other bridges identified as being in “fair” condition.

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No Florida Republicans voted in favor of the infrastructure bill.

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