In historic first, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis vetoes most arts funding in Florida

[Zorro]

Florida arts and culture organizations, still struggling to recover after the COVID pandemic, took another unexpected financial hit when Gov. Ron DeSantis eliminated most state funding for cultural programs.

DeSantis vetoed nearly $1 billion from the $116.5 billion state budget before signing it in Tampa on Wednesday, including nearly $90 million the legislature earmarked for 669 different arts and culture projects and for special line item programs.

It is the first time that no money will be allocated for arts and culture programs by the state.

“It is devastating. Unfortunate is too light a word,” said Richard Russell, general director of the Sarasota Opera, which stands to lose about $70,000 that was expected from the state grant program. “It is a lack of recognition of the economic impact that we have in our community and how much revenue we generate for the state.”

https://www.heraldtribune.com/story/entertainment/arts/2024/06/14/desantis-vetoes-most-florida-arts-funding-for-first-time-in-history/74087269007/

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