Gov. Ron DeSantis Signs Budget, Vetoes $1 Billion
TALLAHASSEE (CBSMiami/NSF) – Pointing to "difficult circumstances," Gov. Ron DeSantis on Monday said he signed a $92.2 billion budget for the upcoming fiscal year after vetoing about $1 billion in spending.
The large numbers of vetoes came as state revenues plummet because of economic damage caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
Lawmakers passed a proposed $93.2 billion budget in March as the effects of the virus started to be felt.
The new budget will take effect Wednesday, the start of the 2020-2021 fiscal year.
DeSantis said the budget includes $500 million to increase teacher salaries and more than $625 million for Everglades and other water-related projects – two of his top priorities of the legislative session.
Also, he said it includes pay raises for state employees.
As an example of the vetoes, he said they include $20 million for the Job Growth Grant Fund, an economic-development program.
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