Palmetto Bay, Fla. – The Everglades Foundation today released the following statement, attributable to Eric Eikenberg, CEO of the Everglades Foundation, regarding Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signing the Fiscal Year 2019-20 budget.
“The funding in this budget will have a far-reaching positive impact throughout the Sunshine State, and we have Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and the Florida Legislature to thank for crafting a budget that gives our environment the urgent attention it needs and deserves. This budget contains funding that prioritizes Florida’s one-of-a-kind environment, including the Everglades, and strives to tackle the problems of blue-green algae and red tide.
“Without Governor DeSantis’ environmental leadership and bold request for $2.5 billion over 4 years for Everglades and clean water initiatives, we would not be welcoming a budget with this record level of funding. His recognition of the link between our unique environmental resources and health of Florida’s economy set the tone for the legislative session and, we believe, was instrumental in securing record funding for Everglades restoration.
“The Florida Legislature is also to be commended for working together to produce a budget that provides much-needed funding for Everglades restoration, including $107 million to expedite the Everglades Agricultural Area Reservoir. This collaborative budget is a reflection of their hard work and commitment to clean water, and we applaud them.”
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About The Everglades Foundation
The Everglades Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit dedicated to leading efforts to restore and protect the greater Everglades ecosystem. Since its founding in 1993 by a group of local outdoor enthusiasts, the Foundation has become a respected and important advocate for the sustainability of one of the world’s most unique ecosystems. For more information, please visit EvergladesFoundation.org.