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Crist: House Committee Earmarks $10 Million for Red Tide Research

Red Tide | Algae Bloom | Environment

U.S. Rep. Charlie Crist also announced a $100,000 grant to PSTA to help veterans.

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Rep Charllie Crist, D-St. Petersburg, announced Wednesday (May 22) that he has secured $10 million to be used for research into red tide and other harmful algae blooms.

The $10 million is included in the Commerce, Justice, Science appropriations bill for fiscal year 2020. This level of funding, a 100 percent increase from the previous year’s funding, will go towards further research on preparing for and mitigating red tide. The bill advanced through the full Appropriations Committee on Wednesday by a vote of 30-22 and is expected on the House floor in the coming weeks.

“Over the past year, Florida’s struggle against red tide reached an unsustainable level. It took a toll on our communities – our beaches, our wildlife, our local businesses, our economy, and our people all endured destructive impacts.,” Crist said.

Crist added, “I could not be more proud to announce this win after months of advocacy and outcry from Pinellas residents; $10 million to address harmful algae blooms puts our community on offense against red tide and blue-green algae. We all remember the awful smell, the fish kills, and the danger to human and marine health that has been plaguing our state. Now is the time to double the federal effort to better understand and eliminate these harmful algae outbreaks.”

Charlie Crist | U.S. House | Politics
Charlie Crist

Crist also announced that the Department of Transportation Access and Mobility Partnership Grants Program has awarded the Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority, the county’s bus service, $100,000.

The money will be used to improve transportation and mobility in Bay Pines. Funds will support better coordination among health care providers and transit agencies, as well as technology improvements such as mobility-on-demand shared transportation services and smart phone apps for booking services.

“Many veterans at Bay Pines VA Medical Center and residents in the surrounding community depend on responsive and efficient public transportation to get around,” said Crist. “This grant supplements Bay Pines’ transportation system with additional funding for better coordination between services, eliminating gaps in connectivity and allowing residents – especially those with mobility issues – to get where they need to go safely and quickly.”

Crist represents Florida’s 13th Congressional District in the U.S. House. CD-13 includes south and mid-Pinellas County.

For information about Crist, go to crist.house.gov.

Charlie Crist | Red Tide | PSTA | Veterans | Tampabay News

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