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Florida Governor Ron DeSantis presented a budget proposal for the fiscal year 2026-2027 that includes a historic investment in infrastructure and transportation, aiming to strengthen the state's roads, ports, airports, and the growing space industry.
According to Florida Politics, DeSantis proposes to allocate $15.4 billion to the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) and an additional $14.3 billion to the State Transportation Work Program, which is responsible for the construction and maintenance of roads, bridges, railways, ports, and other public transportation systems.
During a press conference in Orlando, the governor emphasized that his proposal provides "greater support than ever for infrastructure and transportation."
"With more than 14 billion dollars for our state infrastructure program, we are funding everything Florida needs to do," he stated while presenting his 117 billion dollar budget plan ahead of the upcoming legislative session.
DeSantis's plan includes $4.9 billion for the construction and maintenance of highways, which includes 181 new miles of lanes, $1.4 billion for the resurfacing of 2,622 miles, and nearly $873 million allocated for the repair and replacement of 59 bridges. Additionally, the budget sets aside $204 million for community trail projects and alternative mobility.
The governor is also promoting a significant investment in Florida's airport and seaport infrastructure. His proposal includes $389 million for aviation improvements and $156 million to modernize port infrastructure, strengthening their strategic role in international trade and tourism.
The initiative also includes 93 million dollars for the FDOT Space Port Improvement Program and 10 million dollars for the Aerospace Investment Fund, aimed at attracting new companies to the state.
DeSantis added that an initial $5 million will be allocated to Space Florida to expand the wastewater capacity in the commercial launch areas of the Space Coast, in cooperation with state agencies.
"No other state is making such significant investments in transportation while maintaining a stable budget," emphasized DeSantis, who aims to establish Florida as a leader in economic and technological development.
In total, the proposal includes nearly 700 million additional dollars to improve community infrastructure in Brevard, Indian River, and Volusia counties, key areas in the expansion of the aerospace sector.
DeSantis's plan will be debated in the upcoming legislative session, and is part of his strategy to enhance economic growth and Florida's competitiveness against other states in the country.
The proposal comes amid a scandal, after it was revealed that the administration of Florida's Republican governor, Ron DeSantis, diverted more than $35 million in state funds to finance an advertising campaign against constitutional amendments that would have legalized recreational marijuana and reversed the abortion ban after six weeks.
In another respect, starting from January 1, 2026, Florida will implement a series of laws that will affect residents, healthcare professionals, public employees, pet owners, condominium associations, psychologists, and other key stakeholders in the state.
While many regulations were approved or came into effect in 2025, several include provisions, requirements, or specific implementation dates that begin on New Year's Day.
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