Gov. DeSantis vetoed $15 million for security upgrades at Miami-Dade Catholic schools ahead of approving a $117.6 billion budget which goes into effect July 1.
Office of Gov. Ron DeSantis
Gov. Ron DeSantis vetoed $15 million in state funding that would have paid for security upgrades at Catholic schools in South Florida. The cut came as DeSantis approved a $117.6 billion budget late last month, drawing disappointment from local Catholic leaders who had pushed for the first-time grant funding earlier this year.
FULL STORY: Miami Catholic schools wanted tighter security. DeSantis cut the funding
Here are key takeaways:
DeSantis vetoed the full $15 million the Florida Legislature had approved for security grants at schools in the Archdiocese of Miami, which includes 68 schools across Broward, Miami-Dade and Monroe counties. It would have been the first time the state funded security measures for Catholic schools.DeSantis said he vetoed the funds because private schools already receive significant state voucher scholarship money and warned against setting a bad precedent. “No one has done better for Catholic schools, and we have, because we have universal school choice,” he said at a news conference at Hillsborough College.The Archdiocese of Miami called the security enhancements “not a luxury” but “an essential component of providing safe environments where students can learn and thrive.” The funds would have paid for fences, bulletproof glass, video recording systems and safety officer training.Lawmakers approved a separate $15 million for security at Jewish day schools that DeSantis did not veto. The governor said Jewish schools have faced specific, targeted threats since the Oct. 7 attack on Israel.Jim Rigg, superintendent of Catholic Schools in Miami, pointed to rising concerns about targeted violence. “Unfortunately, we live in a time where school violence is a reality, not just in Catholic schools, but in all types of schools around the country,” Rigg said. Advocacy for the grants began after last year’s mass shooting at a Catholic Church in Minneapolis.
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