Florida lawmakers approved a nearly $115 billion state budget Friday following a special session called to break a deadlock between the Republican-led House and Senate — the second consecutive year a special session was required to finalize spending.
The budget passed the House 99-6 and cleared the Senate unanimously.
Supporters said the package includes significant funding for education, water quality improvements, transportation, and infrastructure, as well as pay raises for some state workers. On the House floor, lawmakers also pointed to a major fiscal turnaround. Rep. Lawrence McClure said the state had been projected to run a $2 billion deficit, but that the budget now puts Florida $3 billion to the positive — a net $5 billion swing.
Not all legislators were satisfied. Rep. Fentrice Driskell argued the budget falls short on affordability, saying Floridians are struggling with rising costs and the spending plan doesn’t adequately address them. Rep. Angie Nixon voiced frustration over the absence of expanded early childhood education and Medicaid expansion.
The budget now goes to Gov. Ron DeSantis, who has approximately one month to issue line-item vetoes before signing it into law. DeSantis said the budget would spend less in the upcoming fiscal year than the current one — continuing what he described as three consecutive years of reduced spending. If signed, the budget takes effect July 1.
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