Over the weekend, Florida Rep. Val Demings (D) made an announcement regarding community projects in Central Florida. The Florida Democrat, currently vying for Senator Marco Rubio's (R) seat, announced that she had secured funding for 15 of her community project requests for the 2023 fiscal year.
The 15 projects, which are located in Central Florida, total over $18 million that will go towards public safety, the economy, and health care. The bill was passed by the House Appropriations Committee, and the House is expected to vote on it this month.
In a statement, Demings discussed the need for the funding.
"I am excited to announce that I have secured funding in the 2023 appropriations bills for fifteen critical programs to keep Central Florida safe and prosperous," she announced, expressing that "As Chief of Police in Orlando, I believed deeply in the power of community partnerships."
"That’s why I’m fighting this year for federal funding to support proven community projects that will support local law enforcement, ensure clean drinking water, expand access to healthcare, grow our economy, and keep Central Florida moving," Demings added, mentioning that "safe and efficient infrastructure, public safety, and public health are at the heart of every great community, and I am excited for all that we will continue to accomplish in the year ahead.”
Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer thanked Demings, affirming that “the City of Orlando and the Orlando Police Department again want to recognize Congresswoman Demings for her consistent and steadfast support of our police officers. Having just secured more than $1 million for OPD's next-generation body-worn cameras in this year's federal budget, we are thankful for her decision to seek an additional nearly $1 million in next year's budget to continue outfitting OPD's fleet of patrol cars with new dashcams."
"Together, these initiatives will bring enhanced public transparency to the tough work of law enforcement while also gathering critical evidence in the prosecution of crime,” Dyer added.
The list of the community projects can be found here.
