Photo courtesy Florida House: Rep. Will Robinson, R-Bradenton, on committee.

The regular Legislative Session drew to a close on Sunday, and local lawmakers touted significant budget wins.

Manatee County should see a number of education projects funded. That includes $20 million for the University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee campus for a STEM Nursing facility. 

“As the demand for graduates in nursing and STEM-related fields continues to grow, this facility will help attract students and faculty to the campus,” said state Rep. Will Robinson, R-Bradenton. “I appreciate the opportunity to collaborate with Sen. (Jim) Boyd on this project, as this funding is transformational to the campus.”

The budget includes smaller line items including $9 million for a State College of Florida Manatee-Sarasota campus in Parrish, $2 million for the Guy Harvey Academy of Arts and Science on the barrier islands and $600,000 for expanding the Sarasota Academy of the Arts.

Sen. Boyd, R-Bradenton, said the region tallied a number of budget victories.

“One way to measure the success of a legislative session is robust funding for local projects,” he said. “Manatee County will receive millions in state support for critical community priorities this year.”

SCF was a big winner in the budget, with another $33.4 million budgeted for baccalaureate programs at the community college.

That includes nearly $4.42 million in support for county child services. Meanwhile, the budget includes $730,000 for a Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder program in Sarasota County. The All Star Children’s Foundation Campus of Hope and Healing should have $1 million coming in state funding, and the One More Child program at the Sarasota Campus for Children and Families should receive $1.5 million.

Education funding should also go to Sarasota, including $1.5 million for a HUB facility for the Education Foundation of Sarasota County.

There are also infrastructure line items in the state budget, including $1 million contribution toward the local effort to reopen Midnight Pass and $1 million for the Alligator Creek Aerial Pipe Crossing Replacement Project.

On roadways, lawmakers budgeted $8 million for expanding Moccasin Wallow Road, $4 million for replacing Lighthouse Drive Bridge and $2.5 million for extending 51st Street West.

Sarasota County will receive $1 million for a regional firefighter and EMS facility while Manatee County public transit should see $1.1 million roll into station.

The state budget includes about $14.4 million for a School Readiness Program in Manatee County and another $9.6 million for one in Sarasota. Voluntary pre-K allotments of more than $7.6 million in Manatee and $4.5 million in Sarasota. For workforce education, some $10.7 million was allotted for Sarasota and $10.1 million for set aside for Manatee.

None of the budget wins are guaranteed, however. The budget was passed by members of the House and Senate, but now must be sent to Gov. Ron DeSantis, who wields line item veto power on the document.

Photo courtesy Florida House: Rep. Will Robinson, R-Bradenton, on committee.