A.G. Gancarski
It’s the first of the month, and Sen. Rick Scott feels the pain of Americans struggling with bills amidst a collapsed economy.
“Today is April 1,” Scott noted Wednesday, and “so many across our nation are struggling to pay their rent, mortgage and other financial obligations.”
“Congress passed a moratorium on evictions, which will provide much-needed relief and peace of mind for many Americans. Today, I’m calling on all governors in the nation to do everything they can to implement moratoriums on financial payments, including rent, mortgages, credit card payments, taxes, and utilities,” Scott said.
“I thank the many governors that have taken action to prevent evictions and foreclosures in their states. But we have to go even further to provide much-needed relief for Americans – and we have to do it today,” Scott added.
In taking this position on evictions and foreclosures, Scott, the former Governor, is tweaking the Republican who replaced him.
Gov. Ron DeSantis thus far has avoided such a moratorium. Democrats have called for a suspension of evictions statewide.
DeSantis also hasn’t taken action to cease payments on rent, credit cards, utilities, and taxes, leaving that up to private companies to figure out.
Nationally, it’s been Democrats, such as Gov. Andrew Cuomo of New York, who took the lead and paused housing payments and fees for 90 days.
Scott’s media release referred to his “30-day plan” for America to recover from the coronavirus, a surprisingly activist manifesto from the one-time Tea Party tax cutter who butted heads with Washington about Medicaid expansion for his two terms.
Scott had issued this call for a “moratorium on all financial obligations” previously, as part of an ambitious tranche of suggestions.
The Senator also pushed for a complete closure of U.S. borders ”to everyone except American citizens and Legal Permanent Residents.”
Another major action Scott wanted: To “shut down all air travel,” including domestic flights.
Despite worries that its unemployment payments were too lavish, Sen. Rick Scott voted this month for the $2.2 trillion economic relief package, which included federal relief from evictions.
However, when it came to other payments, Scott’s office said the relief “didn’t go far enough.”
4 comments
Frankie M.
April 1, 2020 at 12:54 pm
I guess you can have it both ways.
NANCY
April 1, 2020 at 2:32 pm
My tenants are all able to pay their rent this month. They are still employed and working from home.
Why would we want to give a blanket statement and rule that NO ONE has to pay there rent, when at least 70% can pay??? And why are we giving federal aid to people that have not lost their jobs and are working from home? It is so unnecessary. We need to help ONLY those who NEED help. It is completely illogical to hand out money to those with absolutely no financial losses, and most of them don’t expect it, and don’t need it.
Frankie M.
April 1, 2020 at 2:36 pm
It’s not for them. Think of it as a tax refund. God knows how much money we’ve wasted in Iraq the last two decades. They’re giving people $$ so they will go out and buy stuff. If you have to pay your bills great but if you don’t…shop online. The govmint wants you to spend $$.
Frankie M.
April 1, 2020 at 2:38 pm
Just look at how many businesses are exempt from this stay at home order or whatever they’re calling it. It’s a joke. ABC will be packed tonite!
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