Tampa Bay-area projects' funding at stake in Tallahassee budget fight
Florida's legislative session is in overtime as GOP infighting has stalled progress on lawmakers' sole constitutional obligation: the state budget.
Why it matters: At the center of the budget standoff are competing plans for tax cuts. But Tampa Bay's bigger concern may be the split over funding for local projects.
Here are a few key differences between the House and Senate proposals:
Pinellas County
🚦Waterproofing Gulf Boulevard's traffic signals: Lawmakers in both chambers requested $1 million to upgrade 35 traffic signal cabinets along flood-prone Gulf Boulevard to withstand storm surges and salt water.
The Senate agreed, but the House countered with $500,000.
The project aims to keep traffic signals working for the 100,000 residents within Pinellas County's beach communities during storms.
🏖️Safety Harbor's pier problem: Hurricanes Debby and Helene wrecked one of Safety Harbor's main draws: its pier, which attracts more than 1 million visitors each year.
Lawmakers in both chambers requested $1.14 million for repairs; the Senate approved it, but the House halved it.
🚸 Better sidewalks in Harmony Heights: Lawmakers asked for $750,000 to improve sidewalks and roads in Harmony Heights, a low-income neighborhood in Pinellas Park, to better protect pedestrians, cyclists and children near a local elementary school.
The Senate backed the full amount; the House cut it in half.
Hillsborough County
🔌 Generator upgrades: Hillsborough's lawmakers requested $3 million to replace aging generators at two water treatment plants and two wastewater lift stations that collectively provide drinking water and wastewater services to more than 250,000 residents.
Neither chamber agreed to that amount: The Senate earmarked $1 million, the House $1.5 million.
🏫 USF's AI College: Lawmakers asked for $20 million to help the University of South Florida establish the state's first college focused on artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and computing.
The House offered half that. The Senate left it out.
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