With the clock ticking toward a July 1 budget deadline, Florida lawmakers remain deadlocked in a dispute over tax cuts that could push the state to the brink of a government shutdown — a scenario the state has never experienced.
The divide centers on how to deliver tax relief. Gov. Ron DeSantis is pushing to cut property taxes, while House Republicans prefer to slash the sales tax. The disagreement has created a $4.4 billion gap between competing proposals.
“In my experience, over the last 20 years in local and state politics, this is new territory,” said Republican political consultant Terry Miller. “Everyone wants to reduce taxes. It's just, how do we get there?”
Republican State Rep. Mike Giallombardo of District 79 believes both taxes can be reduced, but acknowledges the complexity.
“Those are two different buckets of money, two different topics,” he said. “I know the Senate and House proposals are going back and forth constantly. We’re trying to get this right.”
With no agreement in sight, lawmakers have been instructed to stay home until after Memorial Day, giving negotiators more time. Still, concerns are growing about the possibility of a shutdown, even if many officials downplay the likelihood.
“It is a deadline, but I think that we’re going to get there,” Giallombardo said. “I don’t think we need to go there. I really think we’re going to get somewhere.”
Rep. Jenna Persons-Mulicka of District 78, who chairs the House committee responsible for education funding, echoed that confidence.
“We don’t shut down the government in Florida,” she said.
The House and Senate remain $814 million apart on education spending alone.
“I’m completely confident that we’re going to be able to land this plane before July 1,” Persons-Mulicka said. “This additional time is an opportunity.”
If lawmakers fail to pass a budget by midnight on July 1, Florida could face an unprecedented fiscal crisis. For now, negotiations continue quietly behind the scenes.
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