Florida’s state treasury has $6B in untapped CARES Act funds

Nearly $6 billion in the state treasury are ready to use for COVID-19 relief, but questions remain on how the state might be able to spend it.

That money — approximately $5.9 billion from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act — has yet been drawn down by the state’s executive agencies. The Florida Legislature, which may meet for a Special Session over the pandemic, can also access those funds.

The Department of Financial Services, led by Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis, is responsible for distributing the state’s purse. Deputy Chief Financial Officer Frank Collins, Patronis’ spokesman, provided the update in a statement to the media this week.

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