Florida Gov. Rick Scott Signs 2015-2016 State Budget, Vetoes 8 Brevard County Items
By Space Coast Daily // June 23, 2015
$2.25 million Cocoa Village Parking Garage vetoed
TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA – Florida Governor Rick Scott signed the ‘KEEP FLORIDA WORKING’ budget for Fiscal Year 2015-2016.
KEEP FLORIDA WORKING BUDGET DETAILS:
Cuts Taxes
The “KEEP FLORIDA WORKING” budget cuts more than $427 million in taxes, including cutting the cellphone and TV tax, the tax on college textbooks, and providing a 10-day back-to-school sales tax holiday.
Invests in Education
Historic total of $19.7 billion in funding for K-12 public school education, including $10.9 billion in state funding for the highest amount ever. The per-student amount is $7,097 – an increase of $207 (three percent).
Historic level of performance funding for higher education, ($400 million for universities and $40 million for colleges), historic total funding of $4.5 billion for state universities, and historic total funding of $2 billion for state colleges.
Grows the Economy
Florida has created 879,000 private-sector jobs in four and a half years.
The “KEEP FLORIDA WORKING” budget invests $9.3 billion in transportation projects to continue this growth. This includes $633.6 million for resurfacing more than 2,493 lane miles and $244.8 million for repairs to 94 bridges and the replacement of 16 more.
Protects the Environment
The “KEEP FLORIDA WORKING” budget invests $3.5 billion in funding for agricultural and natural resources.
This includes $71.5 million for increased land management and Florida Forever, and more than $500 million for projects to improve the quality and quantity of our water – including $106 million for Everglades restoration and a record $45 million for springs protection.
Keeps Families Healthy
Record investments totaling $1.2 billion for the Agency of Persons with Disabilities, including over $40 million to remove more than 2,000 individuals from the waiting list.
Builds Strong Communities
To keep Florida’s crime rate at a 44-year low, the “KEEP FLORIDA WORKING” budget invests $4.8 billion for public safety.
Brevard County Vetoes
– Brevard CARES Youth At-Risk: $1.3 million
– Cocoa Village Playhouse Parking Garage: $2.25 million
– Crosswinds Youth Services: $750,000
– Eckerd and Brevard CARES: $500,000
– Emergency Operations Center: $500,000
– EDC of the Space Coast: $596,000
– North Brevard Telemedicine Initiative: $121,629
– U.S. Space Walk of Fame Foundation: $200,000
