DeSantis' Budget
On June 12, DeSantis announced the completion of the new fiscal budget, dubbing it the “Focus on Florida’s Future Budget.”
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“The Focus on Florida’s Future Budget totals $116.5 billion—less than the previous fiscal year—which reflects a reduction in overall state spending. This year’s budget features significant investments for Florida’s top needs, and thanks to the Governor’s line-item actions, this budget will also result in $17 billion remaining for budgetary reserves,” said a Florida government statement.
Mysterious Cuts
DeSantis had for weeks kept what exactly was going to be cut in the budget a secret, nearly until the moment of him signing it.
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Overall, Desantis ended up vetoing nearly $1 billion in spending, making up some of the difference with raises for state employees and teachers.
Veto List
The governor’s office only released the veto list four hours before the signing ceremony of the budget.
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“I even had some Republican colleagues text me, saying, ‘Did you get a list? Did you get a list? Did you get a list?’” said Democrat Sen. Jason Pizzo.
Bragging About Investments
In the June statement, the Florida government bragged about some of its investments, including in the education system which it called the best in the nation.
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“This funding will continue Florida’s important work in providing tax relief for its citizens; investing in our #1-in-the-nation education system; and supporting law and order, disaster preparedness, continued economic development, environmental conservation, and more,” the statement said.
Critics Disagree
However, despite claims that the state is helping Florida’s education, critics are saying that DeSantis’ decision to veto $32 million in spending on the arts has been putting undue pressure on schools.
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The Washington Post reports that more than 600 organizations that provide educational programming in Florida schools may have to cut these programs due to the loss of state funds.
Why Did DeSantis Cut Arts Funding?
Even though the arts budget was just a sliver of the overall budget, DeSantis at a news conference felt that the spending was being wasted on inappropriate things the state had no control over.
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“You have your tax dollars being given in grants to things like the Fringe Festival, which is like a sexual festival where they’re doing all this stuff,” DeSantis said.
Funding Gaps
Democrat lawmakers have expressed worry about the arts cuts, which they see as invaluable for Florida’s culture and economic future.
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“We must recognize and support the invaluable impact of arts and culture on our economy and our society,” said Rep. Anna Eskamani, D-Orlando. “I urge the Legislature to fully fund these programs next session and ask that community members step up to fill these funding gaps created by Gov. DeSantis.”
Pressure on Rural Areas
Critics say the arts cuts are hurting people the most in rural areas.
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Katheleen Sanza, president and CEO of the Center of Fine Arts Education in Tallahassee said that the shortfall in art education programs is more profoundly felt in rural areas, that don’t have the same grants and other funding opportunities to fall back on.
Senior Center
The rural town of Wauchula in Hardee County lost $500,000 for a senior center because of the DeSantis vetos.
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It also lost $5 million for funding an airport, $500,000 for park restrooms, and $1 million in community center improvements.
Construction Project Axed
The governor also rejected $26 million in funding for Pensacola’s University of West Florida, where the money would have gone to constructing a new science and engineering building for the campus.
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Now that the funding is not coming to the school, the project was put on hold.
Other Projects
Another aspect of Florida affected by the budget was funding that would have gone to dozens of local water, drainage, and sewer projects to improve the water system in the state.
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The cuts also restricted money going to many road projects, ballparks, fire trucks, and funding for local community centers. Funds for many of these projects were rejected without a proper explanation from DeSantis.
