05.21.24

Ranking Member Scott Calls Out Florida’s Mismanagement of Taxpayer Dollars

Florida misspent nearly $700 thousand and jeopardized the economic security of hundreds of Floridian families. New report details how vulnerable Floridians may continue to experience disruptions in critical programs because of Florida’s mismanagement.

WASHINGTON – Today, Ranking Member Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03) received a new report from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) revealing how Florida’s mismanagement of federal funds jeopardized the economic security of vulnerable Floridians. The report also details how Florida misspent nearly 700 thousand taxpayer dollars through its mismanagement of federal programs.

Federally funded programs such as the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) and the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) exist to provide low-income individuals and their families with the support they need to make ends meet.

In September 2023, following troubling media reports about significant disruption in services, Ranking Member Scott sent a letter urging HHS to provide oversight and ongoing technical assistance to the state of Florida in its administration of several crucial federal safety net program to ensure that Floridians receive the benefits they need.

“The disruption in services was particularly severe in LIHEAP, reportedly shutting off critical utility assistance throughout the state for a significant period. In addition to the disruption in services and operation for Florida’s [Community Action Agencies]. I also understand that there are potential accounting issues whereby state practices appear to not meet federal standards and requirements for the affected federal programs. Stakeholders have also expressed concerns over the lack of transparency to local agencies concerning the expenditure of allocated federal funds and corresponding fiscal years,” said Ranking Member Scott said in his letter.

In the new report, released today, the Department of Health and Human Services details alarming practices where Florida routinely uses LIHEAP and CSBG funding from previous years to offset expenditures from a different period in violation of federal law.

Moreover, the report details how Florida’s fiscal practices create bottlenecks that starve local agencies of federal funding. The result is an insufficient cash flow to local agencies that may again lead to service disruptions, cutting off critical services to some of Florida’s most vulnerable individuals.   Finally, the report identifies other areas of corrective action for Florida to address the mismanagement of these federal programs.

“I appreciate the Department's recent actions to provide oversight and technical assistance to Florida concerning their operation of CSBG, LIHEAP, and LIHWAP programs, which provide critical safety-net services for some of this nation’s poorest individuals. I strongly believe that HHS must remain vigilant and engaged to ensure federal dollars are properly used and resources are directed to families who need assistance. I look forward to a resolution of the issues I have raised and ask for periodic updates from the Department on this urgent matter,” said Ranking Member Scott.

To read the full report, click here.

###

Press Contact

Democratic Press Office, 202-226-0853