WASHINGTON, D.C. – Following a meeting with U.S. Air Force Secretary Heather Wilson, Senator Rick Scott sent a letter requesting information on the housing situation at Tyndall Air Force Base in Panama City following the devastation of Hurricane Michael, and MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa following reports of mold.

See full text of the letter attached and below.

February 19, 2019

The Honorable Heather Wilson

Secretary of the Air Force

1690 Air Force, Pentagon

Washington, D.C. 20330-1670

Dear Madam Secretary:

I want to sincerely thank you for taking the time to speak with me last week. Over the past eight years as Governor, I worked to make Florida the most military and veteran-friendly state in the nation. As Senator and a member of the Armed Services Committee, I will continue to do everything I can to fight for the priorities that matter most to our military, veterans, and their families.

I am concerned about the reports of the unacceptable housing at Tyndall Air Force Base in Panama City following the devastation of Hurricane Michael, and the mold and pests reported at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa.

Following our meeting, I’d like to request the following information:

1. Other than funding issues, how can we speed up reconstruction at Tyndall? Are there issues related to lenders, the builder, or other elements of the reconstruction?

2. Are the plans for the reconstruction of Tyndall focused on future needs or solely on rebuilding Tyndall exactly as it was before the storm? Will the new structures be able to accommodate the kinds of aircraft we expect to be housed in the future at this installation?

3. Do the plans for the Tyndall reconstruction contemplate the best use of the installation’s property with regard to the community?  Are there shared uses and public-private partnership opportunities?

4. Do the reconstruction plans help reduce redundancy and improve efficiencies at the base and in the community? Will the rebuilt base benefit military families and improve their quality of life and living conditions?

5. Are there plans in place to remedy the reports of mold and pests at MacDill Air Force Base? What resources are needed to expedite this project?

I appreciate all you do for our military, and I know you share my goal of making sure our military has the very best resources. I will always do everything I can to give back to those who give so much for us. I look forward to your answers, and working with you on solutions to improve the lives of our service members.

Sincerely,

Rick Scott

United States Senator

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