Project priorities for lawmakers vying for House Speaker job

Eric Daugherty contributed to this report.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (FLV) – Florida’s Voice highlighted the state funds being requested for specific projects by several House lawmakers who are expected to make a play for Speaker of the House in the future.

Lawmakers have the chance to request dollars for specific projects in communities across the state, highlighting some of their priorities that are listed in the 2023 Appropriations Project Requests.

Reps. Jennifer Canady, R-Lakeland, Kevin Steele, R-Dade City, Chase Tramont, R-Port Orange, and Jessica Baker, R-Jacksonville are considering a bid for House Speaker in about six years.

Rep. Jennifer Candy

The Lakeland lawmaker, who was elected in 2022, requested a variety of projects to be funded with state dollars.

Canady’s project requests include:

• $12 million modernizing Building #1 from Polk State College.
• $1 million for the non-profit clinical pregnancy clinic called Options for Women Pregnancy Help Clinic to build a clinic in Polk County.
• $7 million for Polk county Public Schools to build Agriculture Education Academy facilities.
• $500,000 to repair the roofs from water damage of the Frank Lloyd Wright Building Preservation at Florida Southern College.
• $2.5 million for the Gilmore Outpatient Campus.
• $3.375 million for fostering partnerships small town and rural community broadband access.
• $457,500 for Southeastern University Pathway: LifeSkills House to purchase property for a training facility for students with special needs.
• $1.2 million for New Beginnings High School innovation labs.
• $500,000 for Camp Gilead Gymnasium Renovation.
• $950,000 for a Lakeland Water Education Center.
• $2.19 million for workforce development in high school classrooms.
• $500,000 for Polk Museum of Art Expansion Project.
• $450,000 for Aerospace Center for Excellence and Sun ‘n Fun Long Term Resiliency Plan.
• $2 million for graduate education for Lakeland Regional Mental Health Center.
• $550,000 for anti-sex trafficking initiatives.

Rep. Kevin Steele

The Dade City lawmaker was elected to the House of Representatives in 2022.

Steele’s project requests include:

• $1.5 million for improvements to CR 579/Prospect Road and Happy Rill Roadway.
• $300,000 for improvements to a free store for foster children and foster families.
• $1.4 million for the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.
• $115,000 for Cove Behavioral Health Men’s Residential Bathroom Renovations Project.
• $457,000 for Pinellas County Schools innovative science curriculum and individualized curriculum.
• $2 million for Pasco Hernando State College Nursing Education Support.
• $540,000 for mental health treatment.
• $2 million for Cypress Creek Road and Parkway Blvd sidewalks.

Rep. Chase Tramont

The lawmaker from Port Orange was also elected to the Florida House in 2022.

Tramont’s budget requests include:

• $10 million for a combined Fire Administration and Fire Station in Flagler County.
• $680,000 for the expansion of the Holly Hill Sewer.
• $3 million to improve stormwater management and reduce risk of flooding in Volusia County.
• $3.84 million for a Brevard Public Schools commercial driver license training facility.
• $3.529 million for the Space Coast Airport.
• $250,000 for accelerated learning.
• $500,000 to help Holy Hill handle storm water.
• $500,000 for the design of Old Kings Road South in Flagler County.
• $1.25 million to replace the Holy Hill Fire Station.
• $3 million for the YMCA Family Centers in Volusia and Flagler Counties.
• $2 million for a STEM training facility and co-working hub in East Mims.
• $500,000 for the Florida Educational Leadership Foundation.
• $2.25 million for storm cleanup in New Smyrna Beach.
• $250,000 to replace the Ponce Inlet Fire Station.
• $350,000 for Port Orange stormwater rehabilitation.
• $62,500 for Ponce Inlet stormwater and water management.
• $2 million for Port Orange water main replacement on Ridgewood Avenue and North Commonwealth.
• $5 million for stormwater management in New Smyrna Beach.
• $2.5 million for Port Orange sewer.
• $1.4 million for Volusia County Gemini Springs infrastructure.
• $750,000 for South Daytona sewer system.
• $142,000 for fire sprinkler compliance in Volusia County.
• $4.175 million for Daytona Beach water systems.
• $5.84 million for University of Central Florida Institute for Risk Management and Insurance Education.
• $1.451 million for Ormond Beach Police Department and emergency operations center.
• $750,000 for a Volusia County-based nonprofit to build homes in impoverished areas.
• $522,639 for a recreation center Ormond Beach.
• $36,000 for Ponce Inlet Police Department solar electronic messaging boards.
• $1.85 million for New Smyrna Beach Pine Island and Aqua Golf Canal clean-up.
• $2.5 million for Bitner Plante ALS initiative.
• $650,000 for Daytona State College database security, protection and monitoring system.
• $783,059 for Ormond Beach downtown community center.
• $20,000 for a replacement backup power generator in Ponce Inlet.
• $3.5 million for the City of Oak Hill Nancy Cummings Community Center.
• $1.5 million for New Smyrna Beach Pine Island Aqua Golf Canal clean-up.
• $7 million to strengthen Florida Easterseals affiliates in treating autism.
• $5 million for Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University research equipment.
• $19.139 million for Volusia County Emergency Services facility project.
• $40,000 for Ponce Inlet Fire Department town-wide security camera system.
• $3.5 million for Oak Hill infrastructure.
• $5 million for Daytona Beach Bellevue Avenue extension.
• $9.645 million for Daytona Beach emergency standby power initiative for wastewater system.
• $2.5 million for New Smyrna Beach Cemetery canal bank restoration.
• $15 million for Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University classified, confidential and sensitive project security.
• $35,000 for Ponce Inlet Fire Station replacement backup power generator.

Rep. Jessica Baker

The lawmaker from Jacksonville, elected to the House in 2022, did not make any requests.