Gov. Rick Scott has taken Zika matters into his own hands, authorizing $25 million in state funds to spearhead research to find a vaccine against the virus which has invaded the Sunshine State.
The $25 million in emergency funds will be an addition to the $36.2 million in total the governor has allocated to combat the virus. In July, Scott set aside $26.2 million in funds to fight Zika and support mosquito spraying efforts and last week, he gave an extra $10 million for Zika preparedness.
The money will be used to expedite the development of a vaccine to prevent infection and develop cost-effective ways to test for the virus.
Thursday’s funds amount brings the total to $61.2 million Florida will use to research the virus as well as attempt to abate its spread.
“We must focus on finding a vaccine and enhancing our Zika testing capabilities to further protect pregnant women and their developing babies,” Scott said in a statement.
Scott’s emergency funding is primarily the result of a congressional impasse over a funding package to help stop the spread of the virus. Scott traveled to Washington, D.C. earlier this month to meet with national officials, urging them to pass legislation with funding to battle the Zika virus.
Members of Congress have fought for months over a funding package, leaving for recess in July with no funding package for Zika.
“I have traveled multiple times to Washington this year to meet with Congressional leaders to tell them how urgent this need is,” Scott said. “Yet, despite endless claims of support from those within both parties, nothing has been done. Every minute that passes that Congress doesn’t approve funding means more time is lost from researching this virus.”
Scott said Florida can’t afford to squander any more time since the virus is continuing to spread throughout the state.
“For the sake of our state’s future children, this is time we cannot afford to waste,” he explained.
Because the money is emergency related, Scott doesn’t need approval from the Florida Legislature to appropriate the funds. He’s able to request the money through his powers as the state’s governor.
The Florida Department of Health will oversee the grant process to distribute the research funding.
Meanwhile, federal lawmakers still haven’t reached an agreement over a Zika funding package, but they may be close.
U.S. Sen. Majority Leader Mitch McConnell unveiled new legislation Thursday which would provide over $1 billion in funding to battle the Zika virus. McConnell dropped provisions which would have blocked Planned Parenthood affiliates in Puerto Rico from being eligible for Zika-related treatment and prevention funds, one of the primary reasons Democrats didn’t support Republicans’ initial proposals.
Federal lawmakers must reach a decision on Zika and the national budget by October to avoid a government shutdown.
Reach reporter Allison Nielsen by email at allison@sunshinestatenews.com or follow her on Twitter: @AllisonNielsen.
