Orlando –Today, Governor DeSantis vetoed over $2 million in funding for projects in Central Florida. These projects, championed by Senator Linda Stewart (D-Orlando), would have provided an array of important services to constituents and organizations throughout the community.
“Creating this budget was not easy. We entered session expecting massive shortfalls and cuts to vital programs. This historic $100 billion dollar budget was made possible by funds from Democrats in Washington and their passage of the American Rescue Plan. The Governor chose not to utilize the full $10 billion and placed billions in reserve. There was no reason to veto these projects. His $1 billion in vetoes just goes back into general revenue for him to spend as he pleases. These actions will only harm the most vulnerable populations in our community. Providing housing and health services to our LGBTQ+ community, counseling for human trafficking victims, and expanding access to nutritious foods are just a few of the services the Governor chose to single out and eliminate for Central Floridians,” said Stewart.
Senator Stewart’s vetoed projects include the following:
$750,000 – Zebra Coalition’s Youth Housing Project for construction of transitional housing for LGBTQ+ homeless youth.
$150,000 – Orlando United Assistance Center at LGBTQ+ Center, for counseling and case management services for victims and those affected by the Pulse Tragedy.
$80,000 – The Lifeboat Project, for services to victims of human trafficking.
$250,000 – D.U.S.T. (Developing Urban Sophisticated Technocrats). Funding for after school programs in economically disadvantaged areas that engage and encourage students to pursue S.T.E.M. related higher education.
$95,000 – City of Winter Park Mead Gardens, improvements to nature trails to expand ADA accessible pathways.
$250,000 – United Against Poverty, for improvements and expansion of capacity and outreach of the Member Share Grocery Program that provides nutritious foods to income qualified shoppers.
$250,000 – Gateway Orlando Economic Prosperity Initiative to provide relief, resources, and training to businesses and residents impacted by COVID-19.
$100,000 – Best Foot Forward for Pedestrian Safety, to reduce pedestrian fatalities using engineering and high visibility safety solutions.
“The Governor has made himself clear with his actions – my constituents and the millions of visitors to Central Florida are nothing more to him than a donor county to the state’s budget for next to nothing in return,” said Stewart.