Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a $116.5 billion state budget on Wednesday, after trimming it down from the $117.46 billion version approved by the Legislature.
At least six Lakeland-area projects were vetoed, but many others survived.
Vetoes
Florida Polytechnic University: The news was mixed for Florida Poly. It will get $5.7 million for a student achievement center after the project was vetoed last year. The planned center will house an auditorium, study spaces, collaborative multimedia areas, offices for student support staff, classrooms and spaces for career and internship programs.
The university’s operating budget was increased from $42 million last year to $45 million in the coming year, but DeSantis vetoed $3 million that the Legislature approved for STEM program enhancements. University spokeswoman Lydia Guzman said the money would have been used to expand the student body, strengthen the faculty and add new academic programs with more degrees, labs and an expanded graduate program.
Polk State College: Polk State College will get $8.1 million to help build its planned 75,000-square-foot Northeast Ridge campus in Haines City. That was the largest single allocation countywide and came after last year’s veto of $16.2 million for the endeavor. College spokeswoman Madison Fantozzi said the total project will cost $51 million and will include Central Florida’s first public higher education interdisciplinary simulation hospital.
However, DeSantis vetoed $1.5 million toward renovating the Lakeland campus. The college is planning a major modernization of Building 1 (LAC) in Lakeland, which was built in the 1980s and houses its nursing and respiratory care programs. Fantozzi said the Legislature did allocate $6.1 million last year for the project, which will cost an estimated $12.3 million.
Polk County: DeSantis vetoed $240,000 to replace two 17-year-old 80 kW trailered generators with two new 110 kW trailered generators. The county requested the equipment to improve its emergency preparedness and provide reliable power for the Sheriff’s Office and other government buildings during disasters.
Also vetoed was $562,500 for a Polk County firefighter/EMS rehab unit. The funding request said, “Firefighting can be emotionally and physically taxing. The rehab unit offers a private and supportive space where firefighters can decompress, share experiences and receive psychological support if needed, promoting mental well-being. The rehab unit provides a space to rehydrate, replenish their energy with nourishing snacks and maintain their physical condition, ensuring they remain fit for duty.”
Southeastern University: DeSantis vetoed $500,000 to renovate a home to serve as transitional dormitory housing for up to eight students with intellectual and physical disabilities involved with the university’s LINK program.
The governor also nixed $750,000 for a trades startup program at SEU to train students in construction, HVAC, electrical, plumbing, welding, diesel mechanics, advanced manufacturing and project management.
Approved
Lakeland Police Department summer trades camp: LPD will receive $50,000 to expand its popular summer trades camp. The money will fund an additional instructor and materials to duplicate the two-week program at a second location so it can serve 100 participants instead of 50. The Florida Crime Prevention Association selected the LPD Trades Camp as the Outstanding Crime Prevention Program of the Year.
Tenoroc High — Heartland Biztown & Finance Park: The signed budget includes $2.5 million to renovate a facility at Tenoroc High School to host Junior Achievement’s Biztown program. The program will provide students in grades K-12 with hands-on experiences in entrepreneurship, workforce readiness and financial literacy. The project was vetoed last year.
Tenoroc High — Special needs shelter: The governor approved $1 million to upgrade Tenoroc High School with a generator and electrical retrofitting so it can replace McKeel Academy of Technology as the local special needs shelter. Tenoroc has four buildings designed to withstand hurricanes and could serve up to 1,069 special needs clients, while McKeel can only serve 242.
Polk Museum of Art expansion: The budget includes $500,000 toward the museum’s two-story, 14,000-square-foot expansion. Construction is already underway on the $9.1 million project, which is expected to be finished in November. The expansion will provide six additional galleries to feature specialized collections, including American figurative art, photography, global masterworks and modern art. It will also have multipurpose spaces for displaying artwork, teaching classes and hosting special events.
Peterson Park: The budget includes $200,000 for concessions and restrooms at the park. However, it does not include $1.5 million to reconstruct the boardwalk and fishing pier, which have been closed since April 2023. City lobbyist David Shepp said the pier funding is something “we will be discussing with our delegation to pursue next year.”
Polk County Bully Project: The local rescue organization will receive $100,000 to help save more dogs from euthanasia.
Polk County jail improvements: The jail will receive $2.05 million in matching funds to replace the obsolete intercom/door control security system and a 24-year-old HVAC chiller that is past its useful life. Polk County has dedicated $4.3 million to the project.
InspHire program (formerly Reentry Plus): The budget includes $1 million for post-release services to help formerly incarcerated people transition back into the communities and workforces of Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco and Polk counties. The funding request says: “The program’s goal is to generate returns on investment not only by reducing recidivism, but also by reducing crime and breaking cycles of hopelessness.”
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Wasn’t the Appellant Court house for the 6th district that is to be built in Lakeland in the Budget? I don’t see any mention of it.
Hi, Frank. This is Cindy Glover, editor of LkldNow. I went back through the budget and do not see any appropriation for land, construction or design for a new courthouse for the 6th District Court of Appeal. We will follow up on this.