DeSantis Vetoes $567 Million: Brevard Projects Hit Hard!

Cocoa Beach, Florida, USA - The latest budget signed by Governor Ron DeSantis has left a sour taste for many in Brevard County, as he vetoed approximately $567 million in line items from the 2025-26 state budget just days ago. Among the notable cuts, there were significant appropriations that had garnered overwhelming support from local lawmakers. Tyler Sirois, a member of the Florida House of Representatives, is no stranger to the budget process; he has been at it for over six years. However, the manner in which he learned of the specific vetoes this year—over five hours after the budget signing—has raised concerns regarding transparency and communication with lawmakers.

In fact, Sirois expressed frustration that the governor provided no detailed explanations for most of the vetoes. These cuts included six appropriations linked to Brevard County, which Sirois sponsored and which had previously seen approval from both the Florida Senate and House. Ironically, while he had the highest number of vetoed items among the five House members representing the area, he also managed to secure the most funding included in the approved budget.

Budget Breakdown

The overall budget totals an impressive $117.4 billion, signed by DeSantis on June 30, and is packed with notable allocations for Brevard. Among the key funded projects are:

• $18.2 million for two infrastructure projects at Port Canaveral.
• $10 million for a new Brevard County Sheriff’s Office precinct and regional training center in Viera.
• $3.76 million for Brevard Public Schools workforce education programs.
• $1.25 million for the Florida Law Enforcement Educational Initiative at the American Police Hall of Fame and Museum.

However, alongside these wins, the veto list is just as telling. DeSantis cut essential items, including:

• $5 million for West Shore Junior/Senior High School expansion.
• $1 million for an aviation assembly and fabrication hangar for Brevard Public Schools.
• $850,000 for an expansion of the Cocoa Village Playhouse.
• $500,000 for the Aging Matters meal program.

These cuts have stirred unease, particularly considering public safety and education have been hot topics in recent discussions around budgets. Many see the need for clearer communication from the governor’s office around such significant decisions.

Concerns from Local Lawmakers

Newly-elected Florida Rep. Monique Miller also found herself navigating the choppy waters of budget-making. While she managed to secure funding for two projects—a $1 million Turkey Creek Sanctuary water quality improvement initiative and a $500,000 boat dock replacement—she too faced setbacks, most notably a $500,000 fiber-optic project that was vetoed. In light of this, Miller has expressed a strong desire for improved early communication regarding funding requests for the upcoming 2026 legislative session.

Interestingly, the pre-veto budget included around 1,700 local member projects worth over $2 billion, out of more than 5,100 projects totaling a staggering $11.7 billion submitted. Yet, as Sirois noted, many appropriations requests simply do not make it into the budget.

Looking Ahead

Looking forward, Sirois aims to push for funding for the projects that were vetoed or not included in this year’s budget. He has set his sights on supporting a proposed Brightline train station in Cocoa, which could serve as a significant boost to the local economy and transportation options. With the next legislative session starting sooner than usual on January 13 due to it being an election year, the pressure is on for lawmakers to kick things into gear.

As the landscape of funding remains murky and unpredictable, residents and local leaders in Brevard County remain hopeful for better communication and transparency from their representatives in Tallahassee.