TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) - Florida Gov. Rick Scott is ordering the state to spend millions to battle mosquitoes and prepare for the Zika virus.
Scott on Thursday used his emergency powers to authorize spending up to $26.2 million on everything from killing mosquitoes to the purchase of Zika prevention kits. The Florida Department of Health will send the money to counties and mosquito districts.
The Republican governor has been calling on the federal government approve a $1.9 billion package to fight Zika. The House this week approved a $1.1 billion measure, but President Barack Obama is threatening to veto the legislation.
Scott said in a statement that Florida can no longer afford to wait on help from Washington.
Florida currently has more than 200 cases of Zika virus, including 40 pregnant women. All of the cases involve residents infected outside the country.
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