Rubio puts conservation high on his priority list
Logan Luse
Sun Sentinel
September 21, 2022
When Florida secured more than $9 million dollars in funding for coral reef and Everglades restoration, there was a seemingly unlikely hero advocating for the environment.

Since taking office in 2011, U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio has fought for Florida’s environment and conservation needs. Our Florida Everglades, coral reefs, coastlines and water infrastructure are stronger under Rubio’s dedication and leadership to work with our Florida delegation in Congress. In addition to the funding he already voted for, he requested another $725 million for FY 2022 budget and $1.5 billion in funding for South Florida Ecosystem Restoration and Everglades restoration. Rubio even championed the Restoring Resilient Reefs Act, which would establish a coral reefs task force to ensure the protection of these vital ecosystems.

Rubio is a fellow Floridian — born and raised in Miami, one of four children of Cuban immigrants that came to America in the mid-1950s. He knows that being a Floridian means hot summers and warm winters, but also that when you work hard and give back to your community you get that in return. In Florida, a son of immigrants had the opportunity to build up his community as a city commissioner for West Miami, Speaker of the Florida House, and now one of our U.S. senators.
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As Florida continues to grow not just in population, but economically, Floridians are very fortunate to have elected officials in Congress like Rubio who focus on our conservation efforts to protect our natural resources. As studies at the University of Florida’s Geoplan Center show, Florida’s population will swell to 33.7 million residents by 2070. Florida has grown in popularity for many reasons: theme parks, beaches, wildlife, lavish lifestyles and some based solely on the political climate. As Florida continues to grow, we cannot forget about our state’s unrivaled natural beauty.

Read the full piece here.