Governor Scott  signs FY 2017-2018 state budget; releases veto list; calls for special legislative session.

Governor Scott
 Friday, June 2, 2017


Today, Governor Rick Scott 

1.  signed Florida's  FY 2017-2018 budget;
2.  released his veto list ; and
3.  called for a special legislative session for June 7 through 9 to deal with these specific issues.


The Governor approved the following appropriations to fund the 2017-2018 Florida Division of Cultural Affairs' (DCA) grants programs and vetoed 5 legislative projects recommended for funding under the DCA:

Cultural and Museum Grants :    $13,541,124 -- see below for breakdown and vetoes:

FUNDED:  $11,128,124 to fund 480 recommended DCA grants --
go here to column 6 to see approximately what these grants will be.  As you know,  $35,519,347 was needed to fully fund all 480 recommended grantees at their qualified grant amounts. This appropriation will fund these grants at approximately 31.7% of what they qualify for under this grants' program.

THE GOVERNOR VETOED THE FOLLOWING LEGISLATIVE PROJECTS UNDER THIS CATEGORY -- they will not receive these appropriations:

St. Petersburg Warehouse Arts District Project (HB 2353)                  $400,000

African American History Museum at Historic Roosevelt High
School, Palm Beach County (Senate Form 2131)                                $350,000

Education and Access to Performing Arts Program (HB 2351)            $500,000

PIAG Museum (HB 4269)                                                                     $263,000

He did not veto these two legislative projects; so, they will receive this funding in FY 2017-2018 under this category:

Great Explorations Children's Museum (HB 4385)                              $400,000
African Museum of Arts and Culture Center (HB 2925)                       $ 500,000


FUNDED:   Culture Builds Florida Grants:  $2,320,109

Will fully fund all 110 recommended project grants.



Cultural Facilities Grants :  $11,895,088 -- see below for breakdowns and vetoes:

FUNDED:  $11,145,088 -- to be used to fund ranked DCA cultural facilities' grant projects; however, to fund all 36, $11,591,554 was needed.

THE GOVERNOR VETOED THE FOLLOWING LEGISLATIVE PROJECT UNDER THIS CATEGORY, and it will not receive this funding:

Orlando Science Center (HB 3615)                                                   $250,000

He did not veto this legislative project; so, it will receive funding in FY 2017-2018 under this category:

City of Jacksonville J.P. Small Park Museum Improvements
(HB 2439)                                                                                          $500,000




Cultural Endowment Program  -- none of the 13 state matches were funded


Other project/program line items funded under Division of Cultural Affairs in FY 2017-2018:

FLORIDA AFRICAN-AMERICAN  HERITAGE PRESERVATION NETWORK
FROM GENERAL REVENUE FUND                                                 $450,000

FLORIDA ENDOWMENT FOR THE HUMANITIES
FROM GENERAL REVENUE FUND (pass through appropriation)   $500,000

FLORIDA HOLOCAUST MUSEUM - ST. PETERSBURG
FROM GENERAL REVENUE FUND                                                 $750,000
The funds in Specific Appropriation 3141A are provided for funding an
appropriations project related to HB 2631.

HOLOCAUST DOCUMENTATION AND EDUCATIONCENTER
FROM GENERAL REVENUE FUND                                                 $357,000                        




2018 Florida Legislative Session:  As soon as next week's special legislative session ends, we need to get ready for the 2018 Florida Legislative Session that will be January 9 through March 9. 

Florida Legislative committee meetings will begin in early fall to begin work on 2018 legislative bills and the development of Florida's FY 2018-2019 budget.

2018 Elections:  It's also important election year for Florida. 

Please reach out NOW to your state senator and representative; engage them; invite them to experience your community's arts and culture resources; thank them for their support and share with them reasons why state investments in this industry matter; build these valuable and important relationships with your policy makers.
Florida Cultural Alliance
FCA Advocacy Button

  Post Office Box 2131
 West Palm Beach, FL 33402-2131
info@FLCA.net
www.FLCA.net