Florida TaxWatch, the state’s lead fiscal watchdog, is recommending the governor slash $281 million in local projects out of the record $112.1 billion budget passed by the Florida Legislature.
This is part of the group’s annual Budget Turkey Watch Report, which highlights appropriations improperly added to the budget by lawmakers.
This year TaxWatch is recommending the governor veto millions worth of projects here in Northeast Florida.
The 16 Northeast Florida projects total $15.7 million, which is a slight uptick from the cuts recommended in last year’s report.
Among this year’s turkeys are two appropriations totaling $300,000 for an early learning initiative at MOSH.
Other arts and culture projects in Northeast Florida on the list include half a million for the tag! Children’s Museum in St. Johns County and $300,000 for the Nassau County Performing Arts Centre.
TaxWatch VP Kurt Wenner told us it is not that the programs aren’t worthwhile, but the money should really be coming through grants from the Department of State, not as line items in the state budget.
“We think that would be a better way of selecting programs than just if you can happen to get a legislator to get an appropriation project approved,” said Wenner.
This is the same reason why TaxWatch is recommending the governor nix $1.5 million for renovations to Old Stanton High School.
“The Department of State actually handles both of those areas, historic preservation, and cultural facilities,” said Wenner.
TaxWatch has recommended a veto for beach and dune restoration projects in Ponte Vedra for two years straight.
This year, the project got $1.7 million into the legislature’s budget.
Again, Wenner argued there are more proper channels to secure that funding.
“The state has a statewide beach project process, which brings into account the state’s priorities. We’d like to see projects go through that,” said Wenner.
There are also septic to sewer and other water projects on the chopping block.
Wenner said those types of projects made up the bulk of this year’s budget turkeys statewide.
As far as why they call them turkeys, well, it’s basically a Florida term for ‘pork’.
“I heard a story about a legislator who used to do a lot of turkey hunting,” said Wenner. “But I don’t know, that might just be one of those prodigal history stories.”
In the end, Wenner said the goal of the report is to ensure taxpayers’ money is not spent without proper vetting and oversight.
“It’s all about accountability and transparency. And it’s really about the integrity of the budget process,” said Wenner.
TaxWatch said Governor DeSantis has generally vetoed about a third of the projects that end up on the list each year.
Even with the recommended cuts for Northeast Florida, Wenner said the region is still going to be bringing home a lot of bacon – or turkey -- this year.
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