HOLLYWOOD, FLA. (WSVN) - Gov. Ron DeSantis made a South Florida stop to sign a bill that will help fund environmental protection projects.
During Thursday’s stop in Davie, DeSantis described how more money will be coming to Florida from the Seminole Indian Tribe after signing Senate Bill 1638 into law.
The money will be allocated into restoration programs for the Florida Everglades and the South Florida Water Management District. The agency is expected to receive millions of dollars each year.
“For necessary repairs and upgrades to both the Central and South Florida water management systems, so this is a really big deal,” said DeSantis.
The Seminole Indian Tribe fought hard to offer table games in a sports book. In 2021, the tribe entered an agreement with the state to offer sports book gambling through their app at their property in Hollywood.
As part of the agreement, the Seminole Indian Tribe will share upwards of $750 million a year with Florida.
“Historic day indeed, and as a native Floridian, this truly warms our hearts,” said Seminole Tribe of Florida Chairman Marcellus Osceola Jr.
The breakdown of how those funds will be distributed includes the following:
- $150 million for South Florida Water Management District
- $100 million for the Resilient Florida Grant Program, which helps residents prepare their homes for storms
- $100 million for the Florida Everglades to assist with the removal of invasive species
Anything left over will go toward water quality improvement grant programs.
“You’re looking at about $450 million, probably in future years, every year, for quality improvement grant programs,” said DeSantis.
The governor said the signing of this bill will be a win-win for Florida and the programs that will be benefited.
“This bill is going to now dedicate the bulk of the Florida gaming revenue from the Seminole Tribe Compact to conservation efforts, and this is going to be done in ways that are going to be very beneficial,” he said.
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