Florida Gov.
Ron DeSantis signed the state budget on June 12, but he didn't mention the state's arts and cultural organizations.
That's because he vetoed $32 million in arts and cultural grants that had been included in the budget, the Orlando Sentinel reports.
The governor didn't explain why he didn't approve the grants, which had been vetted by legislators and included in the budget.
"Having no funding allotted for the arts and cultural sector can have severe consequences for these organizations," says Daryl Ward, executive director of the Polk Arts and Culture Alliance.
"It was widespread across the state, so it wasn't like he was singling out Polk County or the Children's Museum," adds Wesley Barnett, a local philanthropist who was heavily involved in the moving of the Florida Children's Museum to a new location in Polk County.
The cuts, which affected more than 600 recipients statewide, are "devastating," says Kerry Falwell, CEO of the Florida Children's Museum.
"We know that our state leaders make budget decisions as to what they feel is the best stewardship of Florida taxpayer's dollars, but having no funding allotted for the arts and cultural sector can have severe consequences for these organizations."
The governor is not required to explain his
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