Today, Gov. Rick Scott used his line item veto power to slash $615M from Florida’s budget, a new record in state history. The money included $2,014,769 for electrical and technology upgrades on FAMU’s campus. FAMU officials have warned that without the funds, critical building code and safety improvements will be stalled.$500,000 for FAMU’s Public Health Entomology Research and Education Lab in Panama City also got the axe.
In a press release, Scott said that the money he vetoed was made up of “special-interest earmarks.”
“Special interests probably aren’t happy with the tough choices I made,” Scott said. “But I am confident everyone can agree that funding for our children and students is more important than pleasing Tallahassee’s special interests.”
The $2,014,769 in campus infrastructure upgrade money was the one and only appropriation FAMU received from Public Education Capital Outlay (PECO) funds. PECO dollars come from utility taxes and are the largest source of building money for state universities.
Scott also vetoed millions of campus infrastructure upgrade dollars designated for UF, USF, FAU, UCF, and UNF.
Earlier this month, Board of Governors Chairwoman Ava Parker wrote Scott and explained that the construction projects on the State University System’s (SUS) PECO list are not political pork.
“Governor, you can be assured that the entire list of State University System PECO projects as listed in the 2011 state budget on your desk adheres to all standards, were approved by their respective university boards of trustees, and are among the top priorities for the State University System,” Parker said.
It is still possible that the Florida Legislature could decided to meet in a special session and restore the PECO money.
The full list of Scott’s line item vetoes is available here. The Florida's Legislature's list of original SUS PECO appropriations is available here.
Pictured: Gov. Rick Scott at the Gubernatorial Inauguration Prayer Breakfast at FAMU.