An organization that brings authors, history programs, and museum exhibits to Florida communities has made cuts because of a loss in state funding. Florida Humanities (formerly known as the Florida Humanities Council) is asking lawmakers to restore that money in the next state budget.
The state has contributed to Florida Humanities for almost two decades. But this year, the money was left out of the state budget. The group asked Gov. Ron DeSantis to restore funding in his 2020 spending plan.
Spokesman Keith Simmons says the request was denied because the group's funding comes through the Secretary of State's office.
"One of the functions of the Secretary of State is to oversee elections in the state of Florida,” Simmons said. “I think there was a big shift of resources to go to that end. And so that's really kind of our understanding of the way that his budget request ultimately shaped out.”
The governor’s proposed budget cuts arts and cultural programs by more than $18 million.
