Florida Budget

House Speaker Daniel Perez, who favors a state sales-tax rate cut, said Senate President Ben Albritton backed out of a “historic tax proposal” that the leaders outlined last week.

Legislative leaders say they have a general agreement on a budget. Lawmakers had to approve an extension of the regular session because they didn't finalize a spending plan.

This week on The Florida Roundup, we spoke about a proposal to shift tourism tax dollars towards property tax relief, heard from Florida college students about their post-graduation career plans and more.

Lawmakers face other differences, including issues related to state employees, tax cuts and whether to back away from spending decisions made in recent years.

Once floated as the heir to Donald Trump’s GOP, Gov. Ron DeSantis is used to getting his way in Tallahassee. But as the governor approaches the end of his second term, the Republican supermajority is testing his power.

Lawmakers will use the estimates to craft the fiscal year 2025-2026 budget, which will take effect July 1.

Here is a list of some of the major pieces of legislation lawmakers are expected to tackle when the session begins March 4.

Four workgroups have looked at 2024 vetoes in different parts of the budget: water programs, health services, justice services, and libraries, cultural and historic preservation.

After the Legislature voted last month to override a couple of the Gov. Ron DeSantis' 2024 line item budget vetoes, House Speaker Daniel Perez formed workgroups to reconsider $950 million worth of projects.

Gov. Ron DeSantis included the transfer in his proposed budget for 2025-26. The art museum, located less than a mile from New College in Sarasota, is currently managed by FSU.

The proposal calls for allocating $590 million toward the My Safe Florida Home program and $30 million for the state's Condo Pilot Program.

Gov. Ron DeSantis has asked for a historic $29.7 billion for public education. Florida's largest teachers union, however, is concerned about the increase per pupil and added funds for the state's voucher program.