The Obama administration denied millions of dollars in federal funding following the Pulse terror attack.
Gov. Rick Scott requested an emergency declaration for $5 million to help response efforts and victims.
Federal officials said the state application for emergency declaration did not demonstrate how emergency response is beyond the capability of state and local government.
Instead, the federal government will give more than a quarter million dollars to help pay overtime for first responders.
"It is incredibly disappointing that the Obama Administration denied our request for an Emergency Declaration," Scott said in a tweet.
He added that it was "unthinkable" that the president didn't think the attack, which killed 49 people, was an emergency.
The state has 30 days to appeal the decision.
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