Governor vetoes funding for local water-related projects

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Wednesday signed the state's $101.5 billion budget for fiscal year 2021-2022.

According to a release from the governor's office, the budget includes $169 million in tax relief.

He also vetoed more than $1.5 billion in total spending, along with $1.35 billion of federal funds received under the American Rescue Plan Act.

Several items that were earmarked for funding across the greater Tampa Bay region, however, did not make it past the governor's desk.

They include:

• Sarasota County Dona Bay Watershed Restoration Project Phase 3 Aquifer Recharge - $500,000
• Venice - New Water Booster Station and System Improvements Including Emergency Interconnect - $750,000
• Longboat Key Assessment of Sea Level Rise and Recurring Storm Flooding - $61,913
• City of Venice Emergency Operations Equipment and Critical Response Unit -  $286,676