People walk through waist-deep water in a flooded street as they evacuate on 12 June 2024, in Hollywood, Florida. On 12 June 2024, Gov. DeSantis signed the state budget after cutting almost $1 billion from the fiscal plan, including about $205 million in stormwater, wastewater, and sewer projects. Photo: Joe Raedle / Getty Images
People walk through waist-deep water in a flooded street as they evacuate on 12 June 2024, in Hollywood, Florida. Photo: Joe Raedle / Getty Images

By Jordan King
13 June 2024

(Newsweek) – Communities in Florida were hit with heavy rainfall and intense flooding on the same day Governor Ron DeSantis cut budgets for multiple water projects.

On 12 June 2024, DeSantis signed the state budget after cutting almost $1 billion from the fiscal plan, the Tampa Bay Times reported—including about $205 million in stormwater, wastewater and sewer projects.

The governor also declared a state of emergency Wednesday in five counties—Broward, Collier, Lee, Miami-Dade and Sarasota—after a deluge affected important infrastructure, including major interstates, roads, schools and airports.

Floodwaters surround a home on 12 June 2024, in Hollywood, Florida. On 12 June 2024, Gov. DeSantis signed the state budget after cutting almost $1 billion from the fiscal plan, including about $205 million in stormwater, wastewater, and sewer projects. Photo: Joe Raedle / Getty Images
Floodwaters surround a home on 12 June 2024, in Hollywood, Florida. Photo: Joe Raedle / Getty Images

Democratic state Senator Jason Pizzo criticized the budget cut, telling the Associated Press, “As I’m sitting here stuck on a Brightline train because of flooding in my district, all those storm water projects he cut look pretty stupid right now.”

DeSantis said that while he did not oppose the projects, he wanted them financed differently, by having local communities apply for funds through the Department of Environmental Protection, the Tampa Bay Times reported.

“All those needs will be met,” he added, according to the outlet. Newsweek has contacted DeSantis’ office for comment by email. [more]

Ron DeSantis Cuts Stormwater Flooding Funding Amid Florida Deluge