Tampa Bay Residents Hope for Legislative Action on Cost of Living Issues
As the Tampa Bay area gears up for the upcoming legislative session, residents are voicing their concerns about the high cost of living in Florida. From insurance rates to housing prices, people are hoping for relief from their state lawmakers.
Skylar Ancell, a resident of Tampa, expressed her frustration with the expensive nature of living in Florida. “Florida is amazing, but it’s totally expensive,” she said. Many others echoed her sentiments, including Paul Lantz who raised concerns about the availability of insurance options. “If Citizens were to fold on us, where would we get insurance?” he questioned.
Denise Piggee also highlighted the issue of high insurance costs, stating, “The insurance is just so high. We’re praying that they do bring it down so you can afford it.” Housing affordability was another major topic of discussion, with Ancell mentioning the difficulty of affording to live in the area. “It’s so expensive just to live here. I don’t want to leave. It’s like my home, but we’re looking like having to go somewhere else to be able to just afford to live,” she shared.
In addition to insurance and housing, residents also brought up concerns about immigration, rising prices, and the overall affordability of living in Florida. Nathan English pointed out the impact of out-of-state residents moving to Florida during the COVID-19 pandemic, pricing out locals and natural Floridians. Larry Piggee emphasized the need for support for veterans and working people in the state.
As the legislative session approaches, residents are hopeful that their concerns will be addressed by state lawmakers. English expressed his desire for a cap on insurance rates, while Denise Piggee called for more competition among insurers to lower costs. Lantz highlighted the struggles of those still dealing with the aftermath of flooding and the challenges of obtaining permits.
Samantha Stamm emphasized the importance of addressing the housing market and inflation, particularly in grocery prices. “Other than that, I just hope they actually agree on something,” she said.
With spring break season on the horizon, local businesses are preparing for an influx of visitors. As the community looks to their state lawmakers for solutions to their pressing issues, the hope is that meaningful change will be enacted to improve the lives of residents in the Tampa Bay area.