Florida lawmakers are facing a high-stakes deadline Monday night as the state’s budget, totaling $115 billion, heads to the floor for a final vote. The session, extended six weeks past its scheduled end, must conclude with a vote or risk disrupting government operations.
The budget deal comes after prolonged negotiations between Republican and Democratic lawmakers, with major components still under scrutiny as voting begins.
The spending plan includes the elimination of 1,700 vacant state government positions and significant reductions across multiple sectors. It sets aside at least $750 million for the state’s emergency “rainy day” fund to prepare for a possible recession.
Tax policy has been a key point of contention. While Gov. Ron DeSantis proposed a one-time property tax rebate and House Republicans pushed for broader sales tax reductions, neither initiative made it into the final package.
“This is mostly tax relief for businesses rather than consumers,” said Rep. Anna Eskamani, D-Orlando. “As it relates to sales tax reduction or property tax breaks, neither are really pronounced in this tax package.”
One notable tax change that did survive: elimination of the business rent tax, which is expected to save Florida companies hundreds of millions of dollars annually.
The budget also makes no allocation for "Hope Florida," a nonprofit backed by the governor that has faced accusations of fraud. “Our budget does not fund Hope Florida at all,” Eskamani said. “We do not fund call center staff. This is really a budget that is a referendum on Governor DeSantis’ attempts to have this program.”
Despite ideological divisions, lawmakers from both parties agreed to restore $30 million in arts funding, following cuts last year that left many cultural institutions underfunded.
“We have spent money responsibly, in a way that we are proud of, while stacking up reserves and returning money, quite frankly, back to the taxpayers,” said Rep. Lawrence McClure, R-Dover.
The bill’s fate now lies not only in legislative approval but in the governor’s hands. Some lawmakers say they are bracing for sweeping vetoes from DeSantis.
“A lot of us are bracing for impact in that regard,” Eskamani said.
Lawmakers are expected to convene at 7 p.m. ET and could deliberate well into the night. Final votes may not occur until after 10 p.m.
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