Gov. Ron DeSantis’ line-item vetoes to Florida’s newly approved state budget will eliminate millions of dollars in funding for flood mitigation, public corruption investigations and public safety projects in Miami-Dade County.
The governor removed nearly $800 million from the state budget after lawmakers approved the spending plan earlier this year. According to a review of the budget, Miami-Dade County alone lost funding for roughly 140 local projects totaling nearly $88 million.
Among the largest vetoes affecting the county:
- $12.3 million for flood mitigation and water and sewer improvements.
- $4.8 million for local law enforcement initiatives.
- $2 million for security upgrades at Miami-Dade drinking water facilities.
The cuts come as South Florida communities continue investing in flood resilience projects to address rising sea levels, heavier rainfall and aging infrastructure.
Flood Mitigation Among Largest Cuts
Several flood control and infrastructure projects that local officials considered priorities will no longer receive state funding under the governor’s final budget.
The vetoes also eliminated funding intended to strengthen public corruption investigations and enhance public safety efforts throughout Miami-Dade.
Gov. DeSantis defended the overall budget package Monday while exercising his constitutional authority to remove hundreds of individual spending items before signing the legislation into law.
The final budget still includes billions of dollars for statewide priorities, but local officials must now determine whether canceled projects can move forward using county funding or future legislative appropriations.
Why It Matters
Miami-Dade County is among Florida’s most vulnerable regions to flooding and sea-level rise. The governor’s vetoes delay or eliminate funding for infrastructure improvements while also affecting public safety and government accountability initiatives that local leaders sought during the legislative session.
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