Watch CBS News

Scott Vetoes $142 Million In State Funding

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (CBSMiami) – Florida Governor Rick Scott signed the new state budget that will cost roughly $70 billion Tuesday. But, Scott also vetoed more than $140 million in spending for various programs.

"This budget is an education budget," Scott said.

Still, Scott cut a good bit of money from schools and higher education in the coming budget. Education leaders said the touted $1 billion in education funding will barely cover the costs of increasing enrollment and losses from other areas, according to the News Service of Florida.

All total, Scott line-item vetoed a total of $142.752 million from the newly inked state budget.

Scott cut $2 million from the Center for Digital Learning and Education and cut funding for several degree programs at Florida higher learning schools.

He cut $500,000 from the Dan Marino Project, $4 million from Choice Counseling, and $250,000 from Alzheimer's Family Care Center of Broward County.

Scott slashed $1.5 million from the Florida Council against Sexual Violence. He slashed $1.95 million from Nova Southeastern University. He cut $250,000 from the Joe Dimaggio Children's Hospital's Cardiac Lab and Operating Room.

The line item vetoes slashed $940,000 from the meningitis vaccine for children's immunizations. He cut the Brain and Spinal Research at UM by $400,000. Scott vetoed $100,000 for the Autism Center of Miami and cut $150,000 from the Broward Children's Center.

Scott cut $100,000 for environmental enhancements to the Lummus Park Docks and Piers for commercial use. He cut $300,000 from scheduled funding for improvements on 25th Avenue in Miami Gardens.

The funding for traffic improvements on SW 190th Extension in Southwest Ranches lost $243,000. Lauderdale Lakes lost $500,000 for scheduled roadway improvements NW 21st Street. He cut $12.3 million from payments to Expressway Authorities.

Goodwill of South Florida saw its funding cut by $250,000 as a result of Scott's veto pen. The Hialeah Chamber of Commerce lost $100,000 in the new budget.

Perhaps the biggest loser in the vetoes issued by Scott is the city of Miami. Scott vetoed $5 million that was scheduled to go towards public infrastructure improvement in the city of Miami. In addition, Governor Scott cut $500,000 from the Bay of Pigs Miami.

Biscayne Park lost $150,000 for the historical log cabin and Miami lost $100,000 for the Historic Hampton House.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.