Governor DeSantis vetoed $500 million dollars from the state budget passed by the Legislature during the 2023 Legislative Session. Included in these vetoes were five projects sponsored by Representative Campbell (D-Fort Lauderdale), totaling $2,387,057. The following projects were vetoed:
$800,000 to update the City of Plantation Regional Utilities Center
$272,500 to renovate Fort Lauderdale’s Carter Park
$227,142 to provide safety equipment to Lauderhill firefighters
$502,490 to improve the Lauderdale Lakes drainage improvement project
& 584,925 to create the Lauderdale Lakes greenway trail connecting the city
Representative Campbell issued the following statement:
“It is maddening in a state where there is a surplus of funds, that so many projects meant to better the lives of everyday Floridians could be unceremoniously cut. These were not requests without merit. These were projects that would have reduced utility outages to constituents, protected first responders from harmful chemicals, and provided recreational opportunities to children. Unfortunately, these careless vetoes send a message to our communities that we cannot rely on the Governor’s office for relief. While that is disheartening, I am no less committed to helping my community in funding these projects today than I was yesterday and will be ready to continue to fight for them in Tallahassee for every session I have the privilege of serving.”
