Treasure Coast to see $91 million in direct funds from new $92.2 billion state budget

Treasure Coast lawmakers helped bring home $91 million for local infrastructure and education in the state’s coronavirus-trimmed $92.2 billion budget for the upcoming year.

The biggest winner was Indian River State College, which secured $51 million. Most of the money is for its general operating budget. 

About $668,000 is for a state program that supports students earning their associate’s degree, who want to transfer to a four-year college for their bachelor’s degree. About $500,000 is to go to help students select careers with high-paying jobs in a field with a growing demand. 

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Nearly $34 million is to go to local school education programs, including early-learning and pre-K. About $2 million is to go school district workforce programs, which includes training for industry trades.

Martin County’s Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly is to receive $1.6 million to expand services for 50 more people. The program is for the elderly who would typically live in nursing homes but prefer to live at home. 

New Horizons Behavioral Health, a substance-abuse recovery agency on the Treasure Coast, received $750,000. 

Local state representatives secured $5 million for local infrastructure, after $3.2 million of their plans were vetoed by Gov. Ron DeSantis.

State Rep. MaryLynn Magar’s lone successful bill to bring money back to her Martin County district was $2 million to completely rebuild Southwest Martin Luther King Jr. Drive in Indiantown. It was the most secured by any local representative. 

State. Rep Toby Overdorf helped to bring home $1.7 million, including $1 million for the city of Stuart to continue building an alternative water supply. In recent years, the city has had to treat its water supply for chemical contamination.

More:Stuart moves forward on long-term plan for more sustainable water source

Overdorf also secured $100,000 for restoration related to the Savannas Preserve State Park in Martin County and $100,000 for a septic-to-sewer conversion program in Port St. Lucie. 

Overdorf and state Rep. Delores Hogan Johnson worked together to secure $500,000 for Taylor Creek restoration, muck removal, north of Fort Pierce. 

State Rep. Erin Grall successfully secured $750,000 for Indian River County, a north Sebastian septic-to-sewer program. 

State Rep. Cary Pigman, who represents a portion of western St. Lucie County was the only member of the Treasure Coast delegation without a funding bill in the state budget. 

Tens of millions of dollars will be headed toward improving the region’s waterways, part of state Sen. Debbie Mayfield’s Clean Waterways Act, which was signed into law Tuesday. 

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Joshua Solomon is a watchdog and government reporter covering Martin County. You can reach him at 772-692-8935 or joshua.solomon@tcpalm.com. Support our local journalism.