State Representative successfully champions $3.06 million in bipartisan investments to fund local infrastructure, public safety, non-profit community resources, and youth programs.
ORLANDO, Fla. — Representative Dr. Anna V. Eskamani today announced that she has secured $3,067,500 in state budget appropriations for critical community projects in House District 42 and across Central Florida.
Representative Dr. Eskamani worked across the aisle to secure funding designed to directly improve the quality of life for her constituents in House District 42. These multi-million dollar, bipartisan local investments include vital community needs such as infrastructure upgrades, public safety enhancement, social services, and youth education resources.
“I am proud to work across the aisle to bring taxpayer money back to our district,” added Representative Eskamani. “Orange County contributes more than $4 billion to the state in sales tax alone; it’s essential that we build relationships with our colleagues across the aisle to bring these dollars back to our community.”
The funded line items span across a diverse coalition of local municipalities, public safety programs, and critical non-profit human services:
- Building A Caregiver Community Wellness Center (Share the Care): $500,000.00
- “Building a Caregiver Community Wellness” Center will provide a central location for caregiver support, care coordination, behavioral health services, mental health wellness, and an adult day health center.
- Winter Park Mead Garden Regional Nutrient Reduction Facility: $500,000.00 (Water Project)
- Funds the application of EutroSORB in Alice’s Pond to remove legacy nutrient pollution and restore the Winter Park Chain of Lakes’ ecological balance.
- SCORE Florida: $400,000.00
- The requested funds will replace expiring federal support so SCORE Florida can continue providing free mentoring and business-education services to entrepreneurs statewide.
- Town of Eatonville Public Safety Building Needs Assessment and Pre-Design Study: $350,000.00
- The Town of Eatonville Public Safety Building is in need of immediate improvements and the requested funds will be used for the planning and architectural design services for a new facility.
- Belle Isle Police Department Emergency Response Equipment Upgrade: $350,000.00
- The requested funds will replace two aging marine patrol boats and add a side-by-side utility vehicle to enhance Belle Isle Police Department’s emergency response, search and rescue, and patrol operations.
- Shalom Orlando, Inc. Generator Power Backup: $350,000.00
- The requested funds will provide support necessary for installation of a comprehensive generator back up power system that will ensure uninterruptedJewish community and educational services during natural disasters.
- Samaritan Resource Center (East Orange Opportunity Pathway): $200,000.00
- The Samaritan Resource Center (SRC), a walk-in homeless resource center, to help people move from homelessness to stable employment through job training in high-demand fields like hospitality and healthcare.
- She’s Thankful (Healing and Empowerment Circles for Survivors of Sexual Trauma): $150,000.00
- The Healing and Empowerment Circles will provide structured ,clinically and trauma-informed sessions each month for survivors of sexual trauma across Central Florida.
- Youth Summer, Camera, Action!: $140,000.00
- Offer safe, inclusive summer programs that build creativity, confidence, teamwork, and leadership through hands-on arts, sports, and science activities.
- Researching Development Impact of New Olympic Skateboard Facilities: $127,500.00
- This research program will investigate the impact of an indoor Olympic training facility in Central Florida as well as create 5 smaller outdoor skateboarding programs across the state.
The millions in targeted funding complement Representative Eskamani’s ongoing legislative commitment to addressing the affordability crisis, protecting local environments, upgrading emergency services, and ensuring that state tax dollars directly benefit the public good in Orange County.
Representative Dr. Eskamani voted yes on the overall budget, but noted elements she did not support. Here is her explanation of vote:
I voted yes on the budget because we have several local projects that will benefit from this budget and the dollars allocated towards affordable housing projects are incredibly important too. However, there are many aspects of this budget that I do not support and other elements that do not meet the moment. For example, increasing the Base Student Allocation (BSA) by $85 is not enough to support our public schools or compensate our educators. There is a slight increase for veteran teacher pay, but not anywhere near enough. The imbalance between compensation for State Attorneys versus Public Defenders is bad for our judicial system, the lack of preeminence funding hurts universities, and there is no pay increase for state workers. At the same time, I understand that state economists have stressed to us the potential of an economic downturn, and the importance of being prepared for that. With that said, Florida families are hurting right now, and we need to continue pushing for more relief.
Representative Dr. Anna V. Eskamani serves Florida House District 42 in Orange County. First elected in 2018, she has established herself as a leading voice for working families, environmental protection, public education, and government accountability. She currently serves as the Ranking Member for both the Ways & Means Committee and State Affairs Committee.
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