Congressman Matt Gaetz has become one of the most powerful lawmakers in Congress. How will he use his power to help his district?
The Board of County Commissioners wants to remove the interstate off-ramp that goes behind the Pensacola Bay Center so it can expand the facility. Matt can get us the federal dollars to do it – #Mattcandoit
We want to reopen access to the Naval Aviation Museum – #Mattcandoit
The Blue Angels need a new hangar at NAS Pensacola – #Mattcandoit
We need a parking structure on Pensacola Beach – #Mattcandoit
Gaetz is in a position to help Northwest Florida. He can cut deals to bring more federal dollars here – will he do it?
#Mattcandoit
Regardless the outcome of the McCarthy fiasco, Northwest Florida has nope hope for additional Federal dollars. Gaetz doesn’t represent the Citizens of Northwest Florida, he only represents his ego and it will cost us all for as long as he is our supposed representative.
NAS Pensacola should be made a Joint Civilian/Military Airport like Eglin AFB. Okaloosa County has partnered with the Air Force since 1957. In January 2022, Okaloosa County finalized its joint-use agreement with the Air Force through 2061 and with an enhanced lease through 2063. If Escambia County entered into a similar agreement with the Navy, it would open up all sorts of opportunities for expanded civilian access to the western side of NAS Pensacola via the back gate, also facilitating access to the museum and lighthouse. I believe that doing so would be an economic boom to the west side of the county and especially Warrington and Myrtle Grove. One longer-term benefit is that doing so would help BRAC-proof NAS Pensacola. There’s also a need for a more deliberate approach to supporting aviation in Northwest Florida to include funding ongoing efforts in Santa Rosa County and making better use of the airfield in Crestview. I can someday envision a future Northwest Florida Aviation Commission covering Escambia to Bay Counties. In addition to federal funding, you know that Florida would go “all in” with its money for aviation.
Matt had better do it, as I don’t know of anyone who is holding their breath waiting for Senator Broxson to rain money down on Escambia County during his time as head of state Appropriations. I like to ask people what their favorite thing he has brought back to Pensacola is, then watch the blank look fall over their faces.
Maybe he was just saving up the largesse all these years for some big bang gives? Whatever the case, our senator is in prime position to wield his influence on infrastructure and roads projects for Escambia. I would love nothing more than to be proven dead wrong with a long list of home-ground achievements at the end of the year.