DeSantis talks up environmental projects
Governor announces new funding, vetoes on stop this week on Fort Myers Beach
Governor Ron DeSantis was in Fort Myers Beach Wednesday at Doc Ford’s Rum Bar & Grille to announce funding for state environmental programs.
DeSantis talked up the state’s funding of water quality improvement and conservation programs, including $1.2 billion for Everglades restoration in the recently signed budget. The governor said the state has funded $3.3 billion worth of Everglades restoration projects over the past four years.
DeSantis also glowed about his $3.1 billion worth of vetoes of state legislature items in the budget.
“No governor ever vetoed more than $1 billion before,” DeSantis said. “We want to make sure Florida is structurally sound and built for the long haul.”
DeSantis didn’t mention the $1 million in funding for the Times Square renovation project, which was among more than 400 line items he vetoed last week, including several involving projects in Cape Coral.
He did mention a new veto: that of Senate Bill 2508 which was controversial over its regulations of the South Florida Water Management District. DeSantis had publicly opposed the bill when it was passed by the state legislature.
DeSantis said the new state budget has $558 million for water quality improvements and septic-to-sewer conversions, $75 million to restore Florida springs and $15 million for innovative technology for blue-green algae.
DeSantis said he is also hopeful that innovative experiments to reduce algae on Lake Okeechobee and mitigate red tide could produce results.
“Protecting Florida’s natural resources has been a top priority since my first day in office,” DeSantis said. “The health of the Everglades, Florida’s springs and so many other resources are the foundation of our communities and economy, and play an important role in the everyday lives of Floridians. I am committed to leaving our natural resources better than we found them so that future generations can experience what brings people from around the world to our state.”
Appearing at the press conference with DeSantis were members of the organization Captains for Clean Water, DEP Secretary Shawn Hamilton, Chauncey Goss, Chairman of the South Florida Water Management District and Everglades Foundation CEO Eric Eikenberg.
To reach NATHAN MAYBERG, please email nmayberg@breezenewspapers.com