Sunburn â The morning read of whatâs hot in Florida politics â 6.3.21
Good Thursday morning.
A top-of-Sunburn birthday shoutout to my brother from another mother,Â
Reggie Cardozo. Florida and D.C. politics know Reggie as a former Obama White House staffer and a top-flight political strategist, but I know him as a dedicated husband to
Stephanie, father to
Fallon, and
Sutton James, and a trusted friend to many. He’s also my boat buddy, a fellow connoisseur of Bloody Marys and dirty martinis, and just funny as hell.
Happy birthday, brother.
Converge Government Affairs has added top Jacksonville lobbyist
Deno Hicks as a partner in the firm.
TALLAHASSEE – After vetoing $1.5 billion, Gov. Ron DeSantis signed into law Wednesday a $101.5 billion state budget that spends heavily on public works projects, the environment and $1,000 bonuses for many Floridians on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The spending plan for the year starting July 1 is by far the largest in state history – 10% bigger than the current budget. And it’s propped up with billions of dollars in federal aid, much of it opposed by Republicans in Congress but a windfall for Florida’s Republican governor.
“The budget really reflects a state government that is meeting the core concerns of Floridians,” DeSantis said before signing the measure during a stop at a New Smryna Beach restaurant.
AP
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks Tuesday, March 2, 2021, during his State of the State address at the Capitol in Tallahassee.
Several items in the budget did not make it past Gov. Ron DeSantis desk, including $1.5 million in funding for the Tampa Bay Area Regional Transit Authority.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Wednesday signed the state s $101.5 billion budget for fiscal year 2021-2022.
According to a release from the governor s office, the budget includes $169 million in tax relief.
He also vetoed more than $1.5 billion in total spending, along with $1.35 billion of federal funds received under the American Rescue Plan Act.
Several items that were earmarked for funding across the greater Tampa Bay region, however, did not make it past the governor s desk.
SARASOTA – The shadow cast by the COVID-19 pandemic’s financial impact – both in the past and projecting forward for the coming new year – hovered over Friday morning’s meeting of the Sarasota County Legislative Delegation as it heard requests and local priorities for the 2021 session.
Delegation chairman Rep. Will Robinson, R-Bradenton, was quick to note that the state could be trying to dig itself out of an anticipated budget hole of between $2 and $3 billion when it meets next spring.
“That will be a challenge for us,” Robinson said.
The full delegation made the meeting in Sarasota County Commission chambers: Sen. Joe Gruters, R-Sarasota; Rep. Michele Rayner, D-St. Petersburg; Rep. Fiona McFarland, R-Sarasota; Rep Tommy Gregory, R-Sarasota, and Rep. James Buchanan, R-Osprey.