News

Actions

Rubio participates in roundtable on algae crisis, protestors show up

Posted at 6:54 PM, Jul 18, 2016
and last updated 2016-07-19 12:42:48-04

Senator Marco Rubio was on the Treasure Coast Monday night.

The former presidential candidate headed to the Indian River State College's Chastain Campus to meet with local researchers and elected officials for a roundtable discuss on the algae crisis. 

Rubio told reporters he is working at the federal level to address the problem.

"We need to focus like a laser on the Central Everglade Planning Project which is included in the water bill. We have to get that done. That is the single most massive project that has a lot of the things in it that people are asking for."

Rubio says they are on the verge of getting that done in September. 

However, the senator's visit attracted protestors who are frustrated not only with the algae crisis but with Senator Rubio.

One protestor held a sign that said "No show Rubio."

Meanwhile, others around Stuart are simply tired of the talk and demand actual action.

Giles Murphy owns Stuart Angler, a tackle and bait shop. He says he continues to lose business because of the algae crisis.

“I just really want to see something done. We’ve done lots of interviews The governor and politicians have seen plenty of people infuriated by this and we’ve seen nothing done. its really time to see some action," said Murphy. 

 

Congresswoman Lois Frankel also adderessed our questions related to the toxic algae Monday morning.

She says the the president's hands were tied when it came to the federal assistance, that the request did not meet necessary criteria to qualify. 

 

However she says congress is working on Everglades Restoration in a bipartisan fashion. "It's a long term process. It's going to cost a lot of money. Congress authorized just last year new projects. We’re about to authorize more projects to get that water flowing south," said Frankel.