Governor DeSantis shrinks size of government, vetoes school security, statewide projects

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCJB/Gray Florida Capital Bureau) - Florida Governor Ron DeSantis announced Monday that using his veto pen, he’s shrunk the size of state government and provided a lean yet efficient state budget.

Still, critics have accused the governor of partisanship and made issue of his veto of security funds for Catholic schools.

“We’ve delivered billions in tax relief to families while making historic investments in the priorities that matter most to Floridians. The FY 2026-2027 Budget I signed today reflects the core priorities I laid out from the beginning,” DeSantis said.

Under Florida law, the governor can issue a “line-item” veto, meaning he can veto specific portions of the budget while signing the rest. In the federal system, a president must sign or veto the entire legislation.

”So if I hadn’t have done any vetoes, would we rather be in a situation where our reserves were depleted, where we didn’t pay down the debt, where government had grown, where all this ... I don’t think anyone would do it," the governor said.

Using his veto power, Gov DeSantis stripped out $10 million for “Security Funding in Catholic Schools (HF 3840).” Other vetoes of interest include:

• Leon Co: $500,000 for “Storm hardening”
• Alachua Co: $1 million for “Intermodal Bypass Connector”
• Okaloosa Co: $750,000 for “Around the Mound”
• Sarasota Co: 520,000 for “North Port Emergency Water Main”

“It’s almost like there’s a tale of two Floridas where the governor is spending that Florida’s economy is strong...but when you look at the reality of what those cuts actually are, it tells a much different story,” said Florida House Democratic Leader Fentrice Driskell.

The leader also accused the governor of vetoing projects lead by Democrats at a two to one rate.

According to the governor, he vetoed $810 million from the budget leaving a $117.6 billion spending plan.

“For example, they wanted to send money to pay for the security for Miami-Dade Catholic schools. Look, it’s like they’re getting a lot of money in scholarship, right? And so that was like $15 million. I’m thinking like, okay, well why there?” the governor said.

“I’m tired of the soundbites and the talking points. Is this a government that’s really meeting the needs of Floridians and it’s not. And I’m so proud to have worked with Democrats both in the House Caucus and the Senate Caucus to push an affordability agenda,” Driskell said.

The governor also vetoed what he called “hundreds of millions” for a new prison.

He pointed out that Florida also still provides a bonus to new law enforcement officers and to teachers with more than ten years of service.

“Take all the debt in Florida’s history, 50% of the debt has been paid off during my tenure as governor,” DeSantis said.

Other vetoes of projects in North Central Florida include:

• Program for All Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) - 50 New Slots - Marion County
• The Arc of Bradford County - Rural Work Opportunities Expansion (HF 3731) (SF 2995)
• Goodwill Industries of North Florida - Education and Career Opportunities to Reduce Recidivism in Putnam County (HF 3055) (SF 2582)
• Gilchrist County Rodeo Arena (HF 3358) (SF 2942)
• Union County Farmers Market (HF 3734)
• High Springs North West Alachua County Utility Maintenance Equipment (HF 3709) (SF 2973)
• Bradford County Keystone Heights Airport Water and Wastewater Master Plan (HF 3727) (SF 3157)
• Fort White Public Works Safety and Storm Resilience Project (HF 3755)
• Lake City Wastewater Lift Station Replacement 1 (HF 3751) (SF 3022)
• Levy County Replacement of University Oaks System Mains (HF 2858) (SF 29301)
• Putnam County St. John’s Harbor Water System Upgrades (HF 3089) (SF 2522)
• Putnam County Waste Water Treatment Expansion Phase I (HF 3087)
• Starke Advanced Metering Infrastructure Replacement Project (HF 3736) (SF 3013)
• Suwannee Water & Sewer District’s WWTF Upgrade and Expansion (HF 3172) (SF 1566)
• Waccasassa Water and Wastewater Cooperative Regional Cooperative Water Treatment Plant (HF 1157) (SF 3080)
• Gainesville - SR 331/SR 121 Strategic Intermodal Bypass Connector (HF 3746) (SF 2979)
• Gainesville Regional Fire Response: Fire Apparatus Replacement Initiative
• Lake City Frontline Fire Engine Replacement (HF 3745) (SF 3584)
• Palatka Fire Department Ladder Truck (HF 3092) (SF 2611)
• Alachua County Fire Rescue Firegrounds Training Facility (HF 3356) (SF (2972)
• Keystone Heights Consolidated Governance Complex Feasibility Study (HF (3099)
• Dance Alive National Ballet Center for the Arts (HF 2713) (SF 1380)