When he approved the state’s 2025-26 fiscal budget last week, Gov. Ron DeSantis used his power to line-item veto projects and requests and remove them from the budget. He did so, trilling over $500 million from the $115 billion proposed budget.
That action had effects in Osceola County, as a number of appropriations our legislation delegation worked (and fought) to get included were vetoed.
They included a stormwater improvement project for north Kissimmee, to alleviate issues that wet hurricanes like Ian and Milton showed in the area’s drainage system.
“It’s my understanding that the Governor vetoed all stormwater projects,” Rep. Jose Alvarez (D-Kissimmee) said. “We’ve been told to refile them next session for inclusion in the budget.”
Among other local Osceola projects vetoed: $500,000 for a Community Center and associated infrastructure at Hopkins Park in St. Cloud; $400,000 to provide substance use treatment services specifically dedicated to homeless Veterans who are not currently receiving VA benefits through The Transition House, aimed at addressing critical needs of Veterans experiencing homelessness and chronic homelessness, as well as those who are legally involved and financially disadvantaged; $500,000 to purchase materials to integrate speaking, listening, and grammar in the subjects of math, science, social studies, and general knowledge, with the goal of increasing academic language acquisition to support students’ overall academic achievement.
