DeSantis's Environment Resiliency Plan Receives Bipartisan Praise

MIAMI—Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, along with Florida House Speaker Chris Sprowls and other state officials announced that through the state’s Resilient Florida Grant Program, some 113 environment projects across the state would be receiving $404 million in funding.

Gov. DeSantis’s efforts as the first “Green Governor” of Florida have been met with bipartisan support, just as the federal government continues to withhold funding to Florida for Everglades restoration and other existing programs currently in place to help clean the state’s waterways.

“Gov. DeSantis has been the most environmentally friendly. In the history of the state of Florida,” said Speaker Sprowls of Gov. DeSantis’s push to preserve The Everglades and other waterways.

Incoming Speaker of the Florida House, Speaker Designate Paul Renner (R) responded to The Floridian’s request for comment, praising DeSantis for his “commitment to our coastal and inland communities against the effects of flooding and storm surge.”

“Governor DeSantis and the Republican Legislature are taking a strategic and long-term approach to tackling the state’s infrastructure challenges. Governor DeSantis’ commitment to our coastal and inland communities against the effects of flooding and storm surge will better prepare Florida for the future,” stated Rep. Renner.  I am especially proud of the dedication of leaders in the Florida house like Speaker Chris Sprowls and Rep. Demi Busatta Cabrera for advancing critical legislation that sets Florida up as a national leader on environmental resiliency. I look forward to working with Governor DeSantis, Speaker Sprowls, President Simpson, and my colleagues in the House to protect and preserve our state for the next generation.

Speaker Sprowls also recognized Rep. Busatta Cabrera as “a rising star in Miami-Dade” for filing the “Always Ready” bill.

Florida State Senator Jason Pizzo (D) (pictured), who is considered a more moderate member of the Florida Democratic caucus, tweeted his support for DeSantis environment and infrastructure resiliency funding plan.

"Credit where credit is due: After nearly four years of our advocating for critical resiliency/infrastructure funding for our cities and county, (much of it vetoed), over $65 million of this $404 million will now go towards projects in our district,” stated Sen. Pizzo.

Sen. Pizzo appears to be the lone Democratic voice of support. The Floridian reached out to (6) Democratic state legislators for comment, but we have not received a response back.

Earlier in the week, DeSantis, along with Sen. Marco Rubio, and Reps. Brian Mast and Byron Donalds, held a press conference in Palm Beach County to call out Congressional Democrats for refusing to fund Everglades Restoration in Florida.

 

Here are several of the Miami-Dade and Broward County projects that will be funded:

Miami Shores Village —Miami Shores Village 93rd Street Pump Station Mitigation

Miami Dade County —Design plan to improve stormwater management for South Dade Landfill

Town of Surfside — Town of Surfside's Abbott Avenue Stormwater Improvements $4,599,816

Miami Dade County— MDPLS (Miami Dade Public Library System) Main Library Resilient Grant

Miami Dade County —Installation and Elevation of Generators at multiple Miami-Dade County Fire Stations

Broward County Aviation Department —Broward FLL Stormwater Outfall Modifications

City of North Lauderdale— Broward Pump Station

City of Sunrise Broward— Springtree Wastewater Treatment Plant Storage and Equipment Building

City of North Lauderdale —Broward Canal Rehabilitation

City of Lauderdale —Lakes Broward Fire Station 37