Annually, the State of Florida must develop a budget for government spending. Each section that gets funding goes through a special process that consists of a legislative session, in which the Florida House and its Senate decide how much funding the section needs. Then, conference negotiations begin to reach a final agreement to be approved. 

On June 12, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis vetoed nearly $900 million in the state budget, in which $32 million would have been given to the arts sector, in areas such as music, painting, dance and much more. This veto would affect around 600 organizations in Florida, including 120 in Miami-Dade County. 

 When asked about these cuts, DeSantis spoke on how the people’s tax dollars are being given to “things” like the Fringe Festival, which he stated is “a sexual festival.” DeSantis’s reasoning stems from the goals of his administration to restrict actions deemed “sexual” or “woke.”

The arts are a major part of this generation’s culture, with them becoming extensively more popular with the use of new technologies. This veto has caused disagreement in 

Miami-Dade, and during a hearing on Sept. 6, Mayor Daniella Levine Cava said the County was looking for creative ways to find the fundings to support the arts.

“You invest in your young people now, or you pay later,” Founder and Artistic Director of The Children’s Voice Chorus Jamie Sutta said. 

Lack of funding also has a major effect on the economy. Many arts companies are non-profit, meaning they do not exist to make extensive amounts of money, but rather to help contribute to a cause. Due to not having an abundance of money, as well as a lack of expected money, companies may not be able to pay all their employees and keep affording what they have at the same time. This causes many of these companies to have to choose which employees they will have to let go of.

“You can always reach out to our local government in support of the arts and attend public hearings,” senior and Executive Director of the Pinecrest City Music Project Madison Williams said, when asked about the best ways to protest these cuts.

Not only will these cuts majorly affect the economy, but also the culture of Florida. Specifically in Miami-Dade, cities such as Wynwood are built off the foundation of the arts, with colorful murals and loud music. Lack of funding could dim the bright city and many more like it in Florida.