A nonprofit focused on the historic “Outeast” neighborhood of Jacksonville’s Eastside is one of dozens locally scrambling to find other options after Gov. Ron DeSantis vetoed their state funding.
Suzanne Pickett, the president and CEO of Historic Eastside CDC, which helps dozens of families cope with hard times, learned that DeSantis vetoed $100,000 in funding for the nonprofit.
“Part of it was for us to get a van to shuttle,” she said.
Pickett has been working on a Mental Health and Wellness Initiative that will help 50 families, but she’ll have to find another way to fund it after DeSantis vetoed the request. She remains optimistic and is looking ahead to other funding options.
Starr Prescott, who founded Youth Exposure Inc., was also denied funding. She requested $21,500 for her not-for-profit that operates at the Lewis Cobb Community Center on Jacksonville’s Northside. It helps children and teens from 10 to 19 years old.
“The bulk of it would have went to, we just started a new initiative, which is called the Succeed Now Project. It is a literacy component that we added to our entrepreneurship program,” said Prescott.
The money would also have helped to purchase computers and improve students’ reading levels over the summer.
“We’re not going to be able to sponsor those kids,” Prescott said with disappointment.
Every year, the governor can exercise veto power for budget items. This year he cut nearly $1 billion from the budget.
READ: Gov. Ron DeSantis’ budget
News4JAX asked the governor’s office how they decide which businesses or communities get funding.
The governor’s office responded, ”The governor reviews every bill and appropriation that comes across his desk and uses his authority under the Florida Constitution to make veto decisions that are in the best interest of the State of Florida.”
The range of local vetoed items included:
Green Cove Springs Senior Center Emergency generator - $200,000
Delores Barr Weaver Policy Center Girl Matter - $500,000
Atlantic Beach Marshside septic tank elimination - $312,500 (see statement below)
St Augustine Beach Mizell Stormwater Treatment Facility Improvements - $2,000,000
Clay County road projects
CR 217 Bridge safety improvements and replacements
CR 209 safety improvements
CR 218 extension to four-lane road
CR 220 extension
“County leadership worked closely with our legislative delegation to advocate for state appropriations that would further the Board’s goals. We appreciate the delegation’s continued support in our state capitol and are appreciative of the state funding we received for projects that will directly benefit our residents. We will continue to look for alternate revenue streams and within our normal budget process to continue to further our efforts and are proud to have such a strong representation in Tallahassee, which is a direct benefit to our communities.
You can find information on the projects we received funding for in 2023 on our legislative priorities website as well.”
Clay County Government
The deputy city manager of Atlantic Beach share this statement on the veto of the Marshside septic tank elimination project:
“We appreciate the Governor’s and Legislature’s longstanding commitment to critical infrastructure projects in Atlantic Beach, especially their vital support for our stormwater management efforts in recent years. While our specific funding requests for septic-to-sewer conversion and beach-access infrastructure appropriations in 2024 are not included in the Governor’s budget, we appreciate the Legislature’s support and the Governor’s careful review. We remain optimistic that the State of Florida will look favorably upon our requests for alternative funding to fulfill these important community needs, particularly in the arena of protecting our residents’ lives and property from the perils of stormwater.”
Kevin Hogencamp, Deputy City Manager, City of Atlantic Beach, Fla.
The Florida State College at Jacksonville nursing program also had some state funding vetoed by the governor.
Jill Johnson, the Chief Communications Officer, at FSCJ said the school is the largest producer of trained nurses in Northeast Florida.
We are very appreciative of our bipartisan support for the bill through both Representative Wyman Duggan and Senator Tracie Davis. As the largest producer of trained nurses in northeast Florida,
“FSCJ will remain steadfast in our commitment to find ways to meet the nursing shortage in Northeast Florida, as our research has identified health care as a top priority for our area,” Johnson said. “As we work to expand our nursing facilities to meet the growing demand for health care workers, we will explore additional funding opportunities, including grant funding, other state funding sources and private donations.”
She explained that money would have been used for the renovation, modernization and expansion of the nursing program facilities.
That would have allowed for more students to receive nursing and health care related degrees and certificates and for students to participate in the STEM-related workforce.
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