Florida Ag Interests Escape Budget Ax
May 22, 2013 
Despite vetoing nearly $370 million of proposed projects, Florida Gov. Rick Scott still managed to OK a record $74.1 billion budget. Dubbed the “Florida Families First” spending plan, Scott signed into law a budget that aids Florida’s agricultural industry, including additional funds for the Fresh From Florida program, Everglades restoration, and citrus greening (HLB) research.
Scott said the investments will protect the resources that make Florida unique. “This budget makes important investments to protect our natural treasures for future generations,” he said. “This budget provides a commitment to protect our environment and is reflected by the highest level of funding in the last five years for Everglades restoration and the ‘Florida Forever’ program.”
The Florida Families First budget includes natural resources-related investments in:
- Citrus Greening Prevention: The budget provides $9.5 million for research on stopping the bacterial disease known as citrus greening.
- Florida Forever: Invests $81.8 million in the “Florida Forever” program, including $70 million for conservation lands, $11.1 million for the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program, and $642,000 for the Florida Recreation Development Assistance Program. The conservation lands funds will go toward natural spring protection, military buffering, water resource protection, and targeted land acquisitions. The $70 million for conservation lands includes $50 million in authority from the sale of surplus lands.
- Everglades Restoration: Investment of $70 million toward Everglades restoration will provide funding for the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan, Northern Everglades, Estuaries Protection Program, and the Governor’s water quality plan.
- Springs Protection: In addition to springs protection as part of the “Florida Forever” program, the budget includes monies for water quality restoration, addressing nitrates in springs, and water conservation measures. It invests $10 million for springs projects generally and earmarked $5.5 million for springs projects within the Suwannee River Water Management District.
- Water Projects: Funds $32.2 million for local water projects, including $2 million for the Florida Keys to assist in complying with wastewater standards for that community.
- Beach Projects: Invests $37.5 million toward financial assistance to local governments for beach and dune restoration, beach nourishment, inlet sand bypassing, regional sediment management, and other innovative projects. This includes $10.7 million in available funds from beach projects funded in previous years.
- Petroleum Storage Tank Cleanup: Funds the cleanup of petroleum storage tank discharges at $125 million.
- Wastewater Treatment Facility Construction: Provides $142.7 million for low-interest revolving loans to local governments for wastewater treatment and stormwater management systems.
- State Park Facility Improvements: Invests $19 million toward repairs and renovations to state park facilities.
- St. Johns River: Invests $10.5 million (split into a $7 million water project and $3.5 million water project) to restore the St. Johns River Ecosystem.
- Apalachicola Bay: Provides $4 million for water quality restoration projects in the Apalachicola Bay estuary and more than $750,000 for oyster shelling and research to help that industry’s recovery.
- Hybrid Wetland Projects: Includes $11 million for innovative nutrient reduction projects to help restore the Northern Everglades, Lake Okeechobee and the St. Lucie and Caloosahatchee estuaries.
In response to the new budget, John Hoblick, president of Florida Farm Bureau, released the following statement:
“Florida Farm Bureau commends Governor Scott and the Florida Legislature for their investment into agriculture. The Fresh From Florida marketing program helps sustain sales of foods and other items grown on family farms located throughout Florida.
“Gov. Scott’s ‘Families First’ budget makes a strong commitment to family farms and agriculture producers in Florida by providing necessary funds to support the worldwide marketing of Florida grown products. The Fresh From Florida program helps our farmers and ranchers continue to create benefits for all Floridians as they generate the second most important base of our economy.
“Gov. Scott and the Legislature’s $9.5 million investment in research aimed at stopping citrus greening is critical. Florida citrus is a vital part of agriculture and Florida’s economy. This commitment will go a long way to ensure that our citrus growers will overcome this devastating disease and continue to produce the products we all enjoy.”
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