WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — WPTV continues working to find answers and solutions to the My Safe Florida Home program.
On Wednesday, we listened to a former state senator who told us he would like to do away with the program altogether, replacing it with something he says is simpler.
WATCH BELOW: Former lawmaker wants to scrap My Safe Florida Home, calls it 'inefficient'
Jeff Brandes is no fan of the My Safe Florida Home program.
"Look, this is an inefficient program. It has been since the day it started," Brandes said. "The simple truth is this is a bureaucratic mess of a program."
The program, with its $10,000 grants for home hardening, has worked for many people, but we've also heard from some who have been disappointed by it.
The former state senator, who is the founder of the Florida Policy Project, said it's time to replace the My Safe Florida Home program and all of its rules.
"I think it would just be simpler and more straightforward to eliminate the sales tax on roofs that are being replaced, on windows that are being replaced, on exterior doors being replaced that meet the minimum standards. You can do this on hurricane shutters as well," Brandes said.
Brandes argues that the sales tax plan would be open to anyone doing home hardening, including condo owners, with no restrictions, no online registration and no waiting.
"To me, it makes more sense with no bureaucracy involved and those types of replacements and just eliminate the sales tax," Brandes said."That way, we wouldn't limit the return to just 20,000 or so people. It would be everybody in the state of Florida who could benefit."
So far, lawmakers seem willing to keep the program, which legislators funded with $280 million this year. Saying goodbye to the $10,000 grants may not prove to be popular.
Matt Sczesny is determined every day to help you find solutions in Florida's coverage collapse. If you have a question or comment on homeowners insurance, you can reach out to him any time.
