Government Ron DeSantis this month vetoed $1 billion from Florida’s next budget, including millions from local projects.
How much has the governor vetoed local requests?
DeSantis vetoed more than $20.5 million for 11 local project requests, the largest of which was $6.5 million for land acquisition and building renovations at Santa Fe College.
According to an email from Florida House Democrats, more than half of projects proposed by Democrats were vetoed, while only 25% of Republican projects were vetoed.
What local funding requests has the governor vetoed?
SANTA FE COLLEGE PROPERTY PURCHASE
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Amount requested: $6.5 million
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Bill sponsor(s): Rep. Bobby Payne
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The money was intended to finance the purchase of real estate to expand around Santa Fe College’s existing downtown location and to fund building renovations.
FLORIDA SCHOOL FOR COMPETITIVE ACADEMICS
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Amount requested: $3.3 million
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The money was intended to fund the private school that focuses on competitive academics and will open this summer.
NORTHWEST BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB GAINESVILLE
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Amount requested: $3 million
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Sponsor(s): Senator Keith Perry
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The money was intended to fund capital improvements to the clubhouse, including a new gym and HVAC system.
WORLD MASTER ATHLETICS INDOOR CHAMPIONSHIPS 2025
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Amount requested: $2.7 million
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Sponsor(s): Representative Charles Clemons Sr. and Senator Keith Perry
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The money was intended to help organize the 2025 World Masters Athletic Indoor Championships.
UF/IFAS SOIL REGENERATION AND CONSERVATION
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Amount requested: $2 million
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Bill sponsor(s): Representative Lauren Melo and Senator Keith Perry
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The money was intended to finance improvements in soil health and support farmers.
HIGH VEREN POLICE DEPARTMENT
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Amount requested: $1 million
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Sponsor(s): Representative Robert Brannan and Senator Jennifer Bradley
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The money was intended to finance the construction of a new police station.
UF WATER INSTITUTE SCIENCE AND ECONOMIC REPORT
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Amount requested: $500,000
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Bill sponsor(s): Representative Keith Truenow and Senator Travis Hutson
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The money was intended to fund an assessment of the Ocklawaha River Restoration Project, including its environmental and economic impacts.
NEWBERRY REGIONAL ADVANCED WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT
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Amount requested: $500,000
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Sponsor(s): Representative Charles Clemons Sr. and Senator Keith Perry
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The money was intended to finance the construction of an advanced wastewater treatment plant to meet the treatment requirements of the Lower Santa Fe Basin.
CITY OF ALACHUA CLEATHER H. HATHCOCK COMMUNITY CENTER
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Amount requested: $475,000
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Sponsor(s): Representative Robert Brannan and Senator Ben Albritton
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The money was intended to finance the construction of a new version of the community center, which serves 11,000 residents.
GAINESVILLE REGIONAL MOBILE COMMAND/HAZMAT ASSET
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Amount requested: $350,000
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Bill Sponsor(s): Representative Yvonne Hinson and Senator Jennifer Bradley
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The money was intended to fund the replacement of a 20+ year old HazMat response vehicle owned by Gainesville Fire Rescue.
NEWBERRY VETERANS MEMORIAL
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Amount requested: $250,000
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Sponsor(s): Representative Charles Clemons Sr. and Senator Keith Perry
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The money was intended to fund the construction of a physical memorial with the goal of improving veterans’ mental health and educating about military history.
See the full list of vetoed requests on the state’s website.
This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: DeSantis vetoes $20 million for projects in Gainesville and Alachua County
