In response to the disastrous hurricane season, Congress hasapproved two measures that would offer financial aid to Floridians.One provides $11.6 billion in disaster aid for damage caused byHurricanes Charley, Frances, Ivan, and Jeanne, and the other allowsthe deduction of state sales taxes from 2004 and 2005 federal taxreturns.

“Today was a big day for hurricane-weary Floridians whodesperately need aid,” said Sen. Bill Nelson (D.- Fla.). “Thedisaster relief will go a long way to help hurricane victimsrecover and the tax reform will correct a longstanding inequity ata time when Floridians can really use a break in their federaltaxes.”

The hurricane assistance comes in addition to $2 billion thatwas allocated to the Federal Emergency Management Agency followingHurricane Charley. The measure, contained in the militaryconstruction spending bill, will fund a broader range of federalagencies involved in hurricane relief that includes the Departmentof Transportation, Small Business Administration, Department ofDefense, Department of Agriculture, Department of the Interior,National Aeronautics and Space Administration, and FEMA.

Nelson also worked to include language in the legislation thaturges FEMA to use some of the $6.5 billion it will receive to helppay for debris removal on private land when public health andsafety are at risk. Beyond agricultural relief included in the$11.6 billion, the bill will give farmers in Florida and throughoutthe nation an additional $2.9 billion for relief from variousnatural disasters.