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The Senate stands firm on $75 million for the Jobs Growth Grant Fund.
Lawmakers continue to spar over funding levels for a host of projects critical to the state’s economic development.
inside Senate’s latest proposalsthe Chamber of Commerce stood firm on its stance on providing $75 million for the Jobs Growth Grant Fund, which allows the governor to. Ron DeSantis Grants are issued to local governments for job training and transportation projects. DeSantis asked for $100 million for the plan, but the House included $42 million in its offer.
Another disagreement between the House and Senate concerns transportation funding, although the Senate lowered its preference for the Florida Department of Transportation work plan, the state’s main vehicle for infrastructure projects, from an initial estimate of about $14.2 billion to $13.98 billion in the House .
But in addition to the work plan, the Senate is pushing for $231 million in local transportation projects, which the House has not included in the budget.
The Senate has also stuck to its stance on not funding a new facility at Camp Blanding, the Florida National Guard training center. The House wants $100 million to improve the site.
“Our National Guard has discussed the need to establish a Level 2 operations center there,” the congressman said. Alex AndradePensacola Republican and top House transportation budget negotiator. “So we hope and intend to move forward with this process to allow them to build the components needed for Camp Blanding.”
Chambers of commerce are getting closer on law enforcement recruiting bonus programs. The Senate’s latest offer is $17 million, an increase of $2 million from the original budget but still $3 million less than the House’s budget. DeSantis has been a vocal advocate for the program, which pays new police officers a $5,000 signing bonus when they come to Florida from out of state.
Despite the differences, consensus was reached in some key areas. The House agreed to allocate $80 million to VISIT FLORIDA, Florida’s tourism marketing agency, and the Chamber of Commerce has agreed to allocate $258 million for affordable housing projects as part of its initial budget.
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