Governor Ron DeSantis signed the 2024-25 state budget on June 12th, allocating significant funding for critical environmental projects.
While the final budget came in slightly lower than the proposed $117.4 billion at $116.5 billion, environmental programs secured over $975 million. This includes:
- Everglades Restoration: A substantial $740 million will be directed towards restoring the Everglades, a vital ecosystem for Florida.
- Land Acquisition: The budget allocates $100 million each for Florida Forever and Rural and Family Lands programs, crucial for land conservation.
- Water Quality Initiatives: $10.8 million goes to the Blue/Green Algae Task Force, and $25 million to Florida Gulf Coast University’s Water School to identify causes of water quality issues.
The Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation (SCCF) points out that the legislative process isn’t quite over. Governor DeSantis has about 50 bills remaining to address before the new fiscal year begins on July 1st. These bills can be signed, vetoed, or allowed to become law without action.
The SCCF will continue to monitor the situation and provide a final evaluation of the legislative session’s impact on our coastal environment’s health and economic well-being.
