Florida governor lobbies for federal stimulus funds for port development

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has included seaport relief among his recommendations on how to utilise a portion of federal funds the state is expected to receive via the recently signed American Rescue Plan Act of 2021.

The federal stimulus package provides US$1.9 trillion in new spending in response to the Covid-19 pandemic. The act includes “Coronavirus State and Local Recovery Funds,” which provides US$195.3 billion to the 50 states and the District of Columbia.

Mr DeSantis’ recommendation of US$258.2 million being allocated for relief of Florida’s seaports during fiscal year 2021 is one of the many planned investments in transport and tourism infrastructure to facilitate the state’s economic recovery.

This and other recommendations were included in a recent letter addressed by Mr DeSantis to Florida Senate President Wilton Simpson and Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives Chris Sprowls.