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By JIM TURNER
THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA

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THE CAPITAL, TALLAHASSEE, May 10, 2017......... The more than 400-page state budget approved this week by Florida lawmakers goes beyond spending on high-profile issues such as education, prisons and health care.

The $82.4 billion spending plan, which is headed to Gov. Rick Scott, is sprinkled with numerous local projects that are priorities of individual lawmakers.

Scott in the coming weeks will be able to veto the entire budget, take out individual budget items or let the Legislature's spending decisions stand.

Here are some examples of items included in the budget:

RIDING WAVES:

In preparation for the 2017 World Rowing Championship, being held in Sarasota later this year, lawmakers have offered $2.5 million for temporary facilities at Benderson Park.

For those who prefer to keep their feet dry, Palm Bay would get $222,817 to restore a “historic” pier and shoreline; Jacksonville would see $200,000 for the Northbank Riverwalk at Gefen Bridge; Port St. Lucie would receive $200,000 for its Riverwalk Boardwalk extension along the St. Lucie River; and Milton is slated to get $1 million to extend its Riverwalk along the Blackwater River.

GALVEZ RIDES AGAIN:

The state would chip in $100,000 to help the Pensacola Heritage Foundation erect a $400,000, 11-foot-high sculpture of Spanish Gen. Bernardo de Galvez, in full dress regalia and mounted on a horse. The sculpture would go in the intersection of Palafox and Wright streets in Pensacola.

Galvez is considered the hero of the 1781 Siege of Pensacola, which was part of driving out the British during the Revolutionary War. In 2014, Galvez became the eighth person awarded honorary U.S. citizenship.

SEE OUR LIVESTOCK:

As part of agricultural promotions, the Arcadia Equestrian Facility would get $500,000; the Northeast Florida Fairgrounds in Nassau County would get $256,855; the Pasco County Fairgrounds is up for $860,000; and the Hardee County Fairgrounds would get $111,479.

KEEP OFF THE FAKE GRASS:

The City of Stuart is slated to get $1 million toward the creation of a regional athletic complex that would be used for state and national baseball tournaments tied to the Babe Ruth League.

However, the state has a requirement about the playing surface.

“No funds may be expended on Astroturf for the improvements funded in this Specific Appropriation,” the budget states.