Governor DeSantis Vetoes Local Projects

In a significant budget move, Governor Ron DeSantis has vetoed over $8.2 million in local projects as part of a broader $600 million cut to Florida’s $115 billion 2026 budget, according to the PNJ. Among the notable vetoed items is $350,000 intended to enhance the gunshot detection system, ShotSpotter, in Pensacola and Escambia County. Also affected is a $1.6 million expansion of the University of West Florida’s early childhood education program, which would have added 5,000 square feet of dedicated space. Other vetoes include $1 million for stream restoration in Escambia County and $850,000 for extending the taxiway at Whiting Aviation Industrial Park. Most of the vetoed projects were sponsored by Pensacola Representative Alex Andrade, who accounted for about $7 million of the cuts. DeSantis stated the vetoes were aimed at aligning spending with his original budget recommendations.