TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — After vetoing roughly $1 billion in lawmaker approved spending, Gov. Ron DeSantis on Wednesday signed into law a new $116.5 billion dollar state budget.

What You Need To Know

  • Gov. DeSantis signed the new budget into law Wednesday in Tampa

  • The budget this year: $116.5 billion

  • DeSantis slashed roughly $1 billion in proposed spending

  • The vetoes angered Florida Democrats, who believe the cuts may harm communities

DeSantis vetoed at least 86 proposed projects located in Central Florida. The projects and organizations vetoed vary, but they range from funding for fire departments and museums, to money for stormwater upgrades and pilot programs at universities. 

“Some of the stuff I don’t think was appropriate for state tax dollars,” said DeSantis.

DeSantis’ vetoes angered many Florida Democrats. Florida Democratic Party Chair Nikki Fried accused DeSantis of “fake fiscal conservatism,” saying the Governor’s vetoes will harm some communities. 

“Once again, Ron has passed a near-record budget that doesn’t come close to meeting the needs of Floridians,” said Fried.

The budget features notable spending in several areas, including education, transportation and the environment. 

It provides $1.25 billion to increase starting teacher pay. It also provides millions for school security, and millions more to recruit and retain faculty at universities and colleges.

“We expect that there will be no delays and that those dollars will be in the teachers’ pocketbook immediately,” said Education Commissioner Manny Diaz.

Further, the “Focus on Florida’s Future” budget offers more than $1 billion toward Everglades restoration. The state is investing hundreds of millions to combat red tide and invasive Burmese pythons, too.

“All of our springs make up the identity of Florida so it’s important that we understand the importance of those investments,” said Florida Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Shawn Hamilton. 

Floridians will see yet another round of commuter toll relief under the new budget. The program allows customers with at least 35 monthly toll transactions to receive an automatic 50% credit to their accounts under the program.

Additionally, the state earmarked $430 million to accelerate highway projects, including those along I-4. 

“I drive it very often,” said Florida Department of Transportation Secretary Jared Perdue. “I’ve heard the Governor himself has been stuck in traffic there. We definitely want to fix that.”

The new budget goes into effect July 1.