Did you Know?

By Paul Waldmiller

Did you know that Florida lawmakers are deeply divided over the state’s new budget?

The Florida House and Senate releasing competing proposals that differ by $1.4 billion. The House proposed spending is $113.6 billion, focusing primarily on fiscal restraint, while the Senate unveiled a larger, $115.0 billion plan emphasizing debt reduction and targeted investments. The Senate’s budget includes $250 million for early debt repayment, $1.75 billion for Medicaid and KidCare, and $33.9 million for the Florida State Guard, where the House eliminated funding for the State Guard and also cut out emergency preparedness funds.

It appears that the main disagreements and sticking points between the Senate and house include education. The House prioritizes Bright Futures scholarships ($705.2M) and class size reduction bonds ($78.9M), while the Senate focuses on teacher raises ($1.4B) and per-student funding increases. Regarding also public safety, the Senate includes pay raises for law enforcement and correctional officers, plus 25 new judgeships. Also, how to balance the budget with appropriate spending is an issue. The Senate advocates for long-term fiscal responsibility, while the House pushes for deeper spending cuts and tax reductions. 

Governor Ron DeSantis’ proposed $117.4 billion budget remains unmet by both chambers. With the legislative session now past its halfway point and no budget conference meetings scheduled before Memorial Day, lawmakers face a high risk of extending the session beyond the March 13 deadline—mirroring last year’s 105-day marathon.