“It’s been a really good year”: Northeast Florida scores big in proposed state budget

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Florida lawmakers closed out the 2023 legislative session Friday morning after approving a historic $117 billion state budget and Northeast Florida had some big budget wins this year.

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The most headline-grabbing budget wins were stacked up in Duval County.

A combined $33.5 million is headed to UNF for a remodel of the Brooks College of Health building and the completion of the Coggin College of Business building.

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There’s also $15 million coming to JAXPORT for a crane replacement and $500,000 for projects related to the USS Orleck.

But the crown-jewel of Duval’s budgetary success is no-doubt the $75 million the legislature committed to a new UF campus downtown.

When asked about the project this week, the Governor indicated he supports the state investment.

“If you have these programs in an area that has the industry there around it and that is allowed to develop, then there’s gonna be just inertia,” DeSantis said on Tuesday.

State Representative Sam Garrison (R-Orange Park) said the region did better in the budget this year than it has in recent memory.

“It’s been a really good year for Northeast Florida in general,” Garrison said.

He’s most excited about $12.7 million in new investment in Wolfson’s Children’s Hospital.

“That has the ability to really positively impact the lives of kids in the First Coast,” Garrison said.

Other big investments in Northeast Florida include, half a million for the Wayman Academy of the Arts, $25 million for dune restoration in Ponte Vedra, $5.4 million for the St. Johns Police Athletic League Youth Sports Facility, $1.5 million for an extension of County Road 108 in Nassau, half a million for Agape Dental Services, $400,000 for George Crady Bridge Fishing Pier State Park, $1.2 million for the Florida Children’s Initiative and $570,000 for Women Veterans Ignited.

As for those asks surviving the veto pen, Garrison said he’s cautiously optimistic.

“Fortunately, Governor DeSantis has strong Northeast Florida ties. He understands these projects and we don’t get greedy with our asks,” Garrison said.

Last year the Governor slashed more than $3 billion from the budget.

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So far, the Governor hasn’t given much indication whether similar sized cuts should be expected this year.