Gus Bilirakis Set to Examine FEMA Budget

While most eyes in Florida politics are on Tallahassee this week as the legislative session opens later on Tuesday, keep an eye on Washington on Wednesday. Florida Republican U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis, who chairs the U.S. House Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness, Response, and Communications, will be examining the FEMA budget for FY 2012 and getting testimony from FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate.

"I will stress the need for continued communications and information-sharing between FEMA and state and local law enforcement, emergency response providers, and emergency management officials," Bilirakis said on Tuesday morning. "I am also interested in learning more about FEMA's efforts to efficiently administer and monitor its many first responder grant programs to ensure that funding is directed on the basis of risk and used in a manner that best enhances our security."

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