ORLANDO, Fla. — The state budget goes into effect July 1 with a price tag of $116 billion. 

Of that, $1 billion in proposed spending was slashed when Gov. Ron DeSantis signed the budget earlier this month. 

Among the proposed budget items left out: more than $32 million in arts and culture funding. 

What You Need To Know

  • The state budget goes into effect Monday with a price tag of $116 billion

  • Of that, $1 billion in proposed spending was slashed when Gov. Ron DeSantis signed the budget earlier this month

  • Among the proposed budget items left out: more than $32 million in arts and culture funding

  • Orlando Family Stage was set to receive $150,000 from the state, but in spring they learned that number was going to be split in half, and now they will be getting nothing

During a stop in Auburndale on Thursday, DeSantis blamed the state's theatrical Fringe Festivals — which he described as "sexual" in nature — for his decision to veto the funding. 

"These roads are important; I can sell that. Educations important, I can sell that. Preserving our natural resources, important. I can sell that. I can't sell the Fringe Festival to taxpayers,” DeSantis said. 

Orlando Fringe Interim Director Scott Galbraith described the annual festival as a "diverse and inclusive space."

He told Spectrum News partners at the Orlando Sentinel that the governor "mischaracterized" the event, which includes theater, dance, music, comedy, and burlesque performances.

Now that this decision has been made to cut funding, many are disappointed. 

Orlando Family Stage was set to receive $150,000 from the state, but in the spring they learned that number was going to be split in half, and now they will be getting nothing.   

“It will impact our programs, without question — $70,000 is easily a salary or two. It’s designers from out of town, it’s actors on our stages. We have to now pull back,” said Orlando Family Stage executive director Chris Brown. “We are the entertainment capital of the world, right? These arts institutions are so much more than entertainment.”

During Brown's time in his role, he said the Orlando Family Stage has always received funding from the state. 

“We have inflation that we’re battling," Brown said. "Our janitor costs are more, our insurance costs are more, everything costs more. And yet, every time we turn, somebody is not prioritizing the value that we bring."

Brown said he is staying positive, but wishes more could be done to support kids who have a passion for the arts.

“I think of it as: If we’re not investing in our young people in avenues like this, then we’re not investing in them at all,” Brown said. 

During this time of uncertainty, Brown said Orlando Family Stage will have to find a way to raise additional funds, or pull back on programming to balance the budget.