Florida budget

The House and Senate are expected to take time off before returning to work out the differences in their proposed spending plans.

The Florida Legislature is supposed to wrap up the session next week. But the House Speaker says the chances the budget gets done by then are "looking tough."

As of Monday, six such proposals had been filed in the House, collectively seeking just over $5.5 million.

Senate spokeswoman Katie Betta said in an email that President Ben Albritton intends to revive the proposal to boost economic development in rural areas next year.

As legislative leaders try to restart the budget process, DeSantis rejected a summit with House and Senate leaders proposed by Florida GOP Chairman Evan Power.

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.

The 60-day legislative is ending without a proposed spending plan for the next fiscal year. A budget must be approved by the governor before July 1, 2025.

The 16 pages of cuts ranged from as little as $10,500 for a county public works generator to $80 million for group insurance for the state college system.

The Florida House and Senate will soon start ironing out their differences as they work toward a final budget for the upcoming fiscal year.

Gov. Ron DeSantis wants to increase state spending on education, road projects and sales tax exemptions in the coming year.