Kelli Stargel budget proposes $50M for Lakeland appeals court, despite 2020 request for Pine

The Senate’s proposed budget includes $50 million for a new 2nd District Court of Appeal facility in Lakeland.

The proposed allocation is more than double the amount approved last year and proposes construction in Lakeland rather than Pinellas County, last year’s approved location.

The Legislature in 2020 approved a $21 million expenditure to begin plans for a new facility in Pinellas County, likely at the state-owned Sebring Building in downtown St. Petersburg’s Mirror Lake neighborhood. However, the project fell victim to Gov. Ron DeSantis’ “Red Wedding” veto spree, spurred by expected revenue shortfalls due to the pandemic.

Read more on Florida Politics’ website here.

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