In the News
Rep. Steve Southerland, II
It’s been nearly 50 years since Lyndon B. Johnson launched his War on Poverty, and much has been debated about the appropriate role of government in poverty and social welfare. However well-intentioned these federal fix-alls might have been, recent statistics prove that the liberal model of Big Government handouts and nanny-state dependency simply isn’t working. In fact, poverty in America is on the rise. For example, Leon County, Florida – the largest county in my congressional district – has seen its poverty rate increase from 17% in 2007, to over 26% just three years later.For far too long, the federal government has incentivized the very behaviors that it is attempting to discourage, contributing to increased poverty in the process. The dissolution of the family and a lack of emphasis on work and personal accountability are key causes of poverty.
Jul 02 2012
Southerland Celebrates RESTORE Act's Passage
Andrew Ruiz (WMBB)
Bay County, Fla. -Lawmakers across the Gulf are celebrating a huge win tonight as they look forward to receiving much needed relief from the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. The U.S. House recently approved the transportation bill, which the RESTORE Act was part of and now it's up to the President to look it over and give his approval.
Representative Steve Southerland addressed lawmakers and community leaders Monday afternoon to celebrate the passage of the bill that addresses the impacts of economic and environmental damage. It allocates assessed BP fines to the Gulf Coast states.
"The language that was settled upon is language that gave the flexibility to the counties as well as to the states to address the type of devastation and harm that was caused." Southerland says.
Click play to view the video or follow this link
http://www.wmbb.com/story/18938055/southerland-celebrates-restore-acts-passage?autoStart=true&topVideoCatNo;=default&clipId;=7462004
Jul 02 2012
Southerland Offers Insight Into RESTORE Act
Zack McDonald (Panama City News Herald)
PANAMA CITY — With a victory for the Gulf Coast on the horizon, Rep. Steve Southerland celebrated Congressional approval of the RESTORE Act on Monday afternoon.Southerland, R-Panama City, was joined at the gazebo in St. Andrews Marina by representatives of local government and industry from Bay County and the surrounding region.
“No one person, no one office, was responsible for the success of getting the RESTORE Act across the goal line,” Southerland said. “This was a team effort, so today we celebrate with you the successes.”
Jun 27 2012
Deal Reached on RESTORE Act for Florida Gulf
Deborah Barfield Berry and Ledyard King (Florida Today)
WASHINGTON – More than two years after the BP oil spill ravaged the Gulf Coast, lawmakers reached a deal Wednesday that could spend billions to boost the region’s economy and restore its environment.Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas would share the money under the deal, which would make the bipartisan RESTORE Act part of a transportation bill lawmakers are expected to approve later this week.
“We (got) everything we wanted for the Gulf, so that’s a huge win,’’ said Louisiana Republican Sen. David Vitter, who helped negotiate the deal. “People recognize that that disaster was literally on our shores and had a huge negative impact there. ‘’
Jun 26 2012
Tropical Storm Debby Response
It has been difficult watching the aftermath of Tropical Storm Debby. My prayers and the prayers of the entire Southerland Family go out to the Florida families that have seen their communities devastated by the storm.
As we continue to assess the damage and begin our recovery, my staff and I are committed to helping in any way possible. We have compiled a list of important emergency contact information for the counties in Florida’s Second District that were most adversely impacted. Please do not hesitate to visit us in our Panama City or Tallahassee offices, or to call us in Washington. We’re here to serve you.
Representative Steve Southerland, II Contact Information
Washington, DC Office: 202-225-5235
Panama City, FL Office: 850-785-0812
840 W 11th Street, Suite 2250
Panama City, FL 32401
Tallahassee, FL Office: 850-561-3979
3116 Capital Circle NE, Suite 9
Tallahassee, FL 32308
http://www.floridadisaster.org/index.asp
http://blog.fema.gov/search/label/Severe%20Tropical%20Weather
Bay County Emergency Management
700 Highway 2300
Southport, FL 32409
Phone: (850) 248-6040
Fax: (850) 248-6059
Website: http://www.co.bay.fl.us/emergency/management.php
20859 Central Avenue East, Room G-40
Blountstown, FL 32424
Phone: 850-674-8075
Website: http://www.calhounem.org
Dixie County Emergency Management
17600 SE Hwy US 19
Cross City, FL 32628
Phone: (352) 498-1240 ext. 2231
Fax: (352) 498-1244
Website: http://www.dixieemergency.com
Franklin County Emergency Management
28 Airport Road
Apalachicola, FL 32320
Phone: (850) 653-8977
Fax: (850) 653-3643
Website: http://www.franklinemergencymanagement.com/
1000 Cecil G. Costin, Sr. Blvd
Building 500
Port St. Joe, FL 32456
Phone: (850) 229-9110
Fax: (850) 229-9115
Website: http://www.gulfcounty-fl.gov/EmergencyManagement.cfm
Jefferson County Emergency Management
169 Industrial Park Blvd
Monticello, FL 32344
Phone: (850) 342-0211
Fax: (850) 342-0214
Website: http://www.co.jefferson.fl.us/EMS-CEO_files/EMS-CEO.htm
120 W. Main Street
Mayo, FL 32066
Phone: 386-294-1950
Fax: 386-294-4224
Leon County Emergency Management
535 Appleyard Dr
Tallahassee, FL 32304
Phone: (850) 488-5921
Fax: (850) 487-3770
Website: http://lcso.leonfl.org/em.htm
10979 NW Spring Street
Bristol, FL 32321
Phone: (850) 643-2339
Fax: (850) 643-3499
Website: http://www.libertycountyflem.com
Okaloosa County Emergency Management
90 College Boulevard East
Niceville, FL 32578
Phone: (850) 651-7150
Fax: (850) 651-7170
Website: http://www.co.okaloosa.fl.us/dept_ps_em_mgmt.html
617 Ontario Avenue SW, Suite 200
Live Oak, FL 32064
Phone: 386-364-3405
Taylor County Emergency Management
201 E Green St
Perry, FL 32347
Phone: (850) 838-3500 ext 7
Fax: (850) 838-3501
Website:http://www.taylorcountygov.com/em/index.htm
Wakulla County Emergency Management
15 Oak Street
Crawfordville, FL 32327
Phone: 850-926-0861
Fax: 850-926-8027
Website: http://www.wcso.org/
Director, Captain Joe Preston
752 Triple G Road
DeFuniak Springs, FL 32433
Phone: (850) 892-8065
Website: http://www.waltonso.org/divisions/emergency_management_and_public_safety_communications_division.htm
Jun 22 2012
Feds Off Target With Triggerfish Management
Rep. Steve Southerland, II
Any Gulf Coast fisherman will be familiar with the gray triggerfish, a fish that is rarely targeted by commercial or recreational fishermen, but one that is prized for its delicious meat. In recent years, however, the gray triggerfish has become symptomatic of a fishery that is seriously out of balance.Earlier this month, the the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Fisheries Service shut down Florida’s gray triggerfish fishery due to a steady decline in landings. This marks the first gray triggerfish closure ever for the Gulf region.
Apr 26 2012
Even Mortician Member Finds D.C. Humorless
Ben Terris (National Journal)
One thing Rep. Steve Southerland has noticed since coming to Washington last year is that people in the halls of Congress don’t laugh nearly as much as those who visit his family business. Which is odd, given that his family owns a funeral home.
“Everyone here is so serious,” the Florida Republican said. “Sure it’s a serious subject matter, but no more serious than the subject matter we deal with at the funeral home. And you should hear the amount of laughing that goes on at our funeral home. Congress could learn something from that.”
Mar 26 2012
1,000 Fisherman Rally at Capitol
Valerie Garman (Panama City News Herald)
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Young Jacob Glantzman from Wall, N.J., carried a sign Wednesday that posed an innocent question: “Jesus was a fisherman, why can’t I be?”
Jacob is part of the fifth generation of a fishing family, a tradition anglers from coastal states across the country gathered to protect on the lawn of the Capitol in Washington, D.C., Wednesday.
Mar 24 2012
Our OPINION: RESTORE Act
Tallahassee Democrat Opinion Article
Nearly two years ago, the Deepwater Horizon drilling rig exploded in the Gulf of Mexico, sparking an environmental disaster that touched every Gulf state.
BP is expected to pay between $5 billion and $21 billion in fines under the Clean Water Act. But as can be expected any time that much money is involved, there has been plenty of discussion over who should benefit.
Mar 20 2012
Big Game Fishing Journal March/April Issue
Rep. Steve Southerland, II
Growing up on Northwest Florida’s Gulf Coast, there were always certain constants in the Southerland household. Among those were faith, family, and–of course–fishing.
As a child, I would climb into the family boat with my father and siblings and head for Panama City’s St. Andrew’s Pass and the deep waters just off the coast. After spending all day in the sun on a rocking boat reeling in fish, we looked forward to cleaning our catch and laying a few snappers on the grill for dinner.