TALLAHASSEE, Florida — The state Legislature finalized funding for agriculture, natural resources and environment budget items, including spending for the Florida Everglades.
After days of going back and forth on key items like oyster restoration, citrus research and land acquisition, lawmakers agreed to spend nearly $6 billion on the state agriculture and environment departments as well as the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
The Legislature agreed to fund Everglades restoration at $638.6 million, a decrease of more than $50 million from the current budget. State Sen. Jason Brodeur, the chair of the Senate committee handling environment and agriculture budget items, said in a statement Tuesday that the Legislature’s investments on the Everglades and water quality would “benefit current and future generations of Floridians” and protect the state’s economy.
“We are continuing our longstanding efforts to preserve Florida’s unique natural resources and making critical improvements to our environment and clean water infrastructure, including full funding for Everglades Restoration and the Everglades Agricultural Area Reservoir,” he said.
