DeSantis nixes Tampa Bay's storm hardening funds

Gov. Ron DeSantis signed the last state budget of his tenure Monday, but not without more than $800 million in line-item vetoes.

Why it matters: Left on the cutting-room floor was nearly $5 million to harden buildings against hurricanes and make roadways more resilient to flooding in unincorporated Pinellas County, Tampa and Clearwater.

Here's a look at what didn't make the cut.

🌀 Hardening the Lealman Exchange: Pinellas County sought $2 million from the state to transform the 77,000-square-foot community center into a hurricane-risk and step-down shelter equipped with backup generation.

Inspired in part by hurricanes Helene and Milton, the request would have helped create a shelter in one of the county's poorest areas and reduce the number of days public schools are used as shelters.

🌧️ The South Howard Flood Relief Project: This project, which has drawn opposition from local businesses, would involve constructing a major stormwater drainage system in one of Tampa's busiest corridors.

The City of Tampa asked the state for $1.5 million to support the project, but although it survived the state Legislature, it did not survive the governor's veto pen.

🚗 Elevating Bayshore Drive: State Sen. Nick DiCeglie (R-Indian Rocks Beach) requested $1 million for the City of Clearwater to elevate Bayshore Drive to minimize flooding and road closures during high storm surges.

🌊 Living shorelines: DeSantis nixed $750,000 earmarked for Tampa Bay Watch's efforts to protect the region's low-lying coastal communities from storm surges and rising sea levels by addressing shoreline erosion.

The funds would have also helped the nonprofit create a habitat for the eastern oyster, which provides a cost-effective, nature-based solution by "filtering and improving waters."