TALLAHASSEE – $195.3 billion set to be dispersed among states and local governments from the stimulus package. Gov. Ron DeSantis was quick to announce his recommendations as to how the money Florida receives should be spent.
Under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, the federal government would direct $350 billion to state and local governments. ]
Of that, $25.5 billion would be divided equally to every state, with each receiving at least $500 million. But another $169 billion would be divided based on the state’s share of unemployed workers nationally.
A formula Gov. DeSantis says is unfair to the Sunshine State, which has a 4.8 unemployment rate.
“We are getting comparative less money than our population because our unemployment is lower,” said DeSantis. “And a lot of those states that have much higher unemployment are getting much, much billions and billions of dollars more.”
Gov. DeSantis says the state is expected to receive between $9 – $10 billion in stimulus spending from the federal government.
As part of his recommendation to the Florida Senate President and Speaker of the Florida House, DeSantis is only proposing to spend $4.1 billion in the 2021 – 2022 fiscal year.
Starting by calling for Florida’s first responders to receive a one-time additional $1,000 stimulus check for their work during the coronavirus pandemic.
“We believe that we should recognize their sacrifice over the last year,” said DeSantis.
The governor went on to announce an additional $73.2 million would go to modernize the highly criticized unemployment CONNECT system, $150 million for the Florida job growth grant fund, $50 million to boost tourism, and $50 million for road infrastructure.
“But I think all in all we’re in a strong position because of the choices that we made over the past year,” said DeSantis. “And I think the proposals that I’ve laid out today really do address important issues for the state.”
But it’s still uncertain when the funds will be given to the states and what the federal guidelines will be on how it can be spent.
