DeSantis proposes $1K direct payment to first responders using federal stimulus money

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis released his federal stimulus budget recommendations on Tuesday, including a proposal to send $1,000 direct payments to first responders.

DeSantis’ recommendations total $4.1 billion, of which $1.4 billion is recommended for immediate use during the current fiscal year.

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See a breakdown of his recommendations below:

∙ DeSantis proposed one-time $1,000 direct payments to full-time sworn law enforcement officers, firefighters, paramedics and emergency medical technicians.

∙ He is recommending over $500 million for economic development and recovery initiatives.

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∙ He is proposing putting a modernized reemployment assistance system in place to correct design flaws and improve the delivery of services to Floridians.

∙ According to DeSantis’ recommendations, the Resilient Florida Grant Program would receive $1 billion, which would provide more than $2 billion over the next four years when combined with the governor’s Florida Leads budget recommendation.

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∙ The governor also suggested investing $41.7 million to the Florida National Guard and $1 billion for the creation of an Emergency Management Response Fund.

∙ The governor is recommending $185 million for workforce training and research initiatives.

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∙ To support research to prevent, diagnose, treat and cure Alzheimer’s disease, the governor is proposing dedicating $10 million for the Ed and Ethel Moore Alzheimer’s Disease Research Program.

∙ DeSantis also wants $258 million for ports, including Port Canaveral, as well as millions for road projects, which have taken a hit as toll and gas tax have fallen during the pandemic.