Florida state budget

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.

The House and Senate don't seem close on a budget deal. The House and Gov. Ron DeSantis don't seem close, period.

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 proposal is an initial step as lawmakers prepare to negotiate a final budget during the legislative session. It includes tax cuts and a firearms sales tax holiday.

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.

Gov. Ron DeSantis trimmed over a half billion dollars from the spending plan that goes into effect July 1st. The line-item vetoes put the budget at roughly $116.5 billion.

Democratic state Sen. Jason Pizzo filed the suit, contending the DeSantis administration infringed on the federal government regarding immigration issues.

Monthly tax collections in Florida continue to exceed expectations, while state economists are concerned that inflation will take a toll on consumer spending.

Breaking from efforts by Florida lawmakers to punish school districts that imposed mask mandates during the pandemic, Gov. Ron DeSantis on Thursday directed Florida’s new education commissioner to ignore a plan that would have made the districts ineligible for $200 million.

Pointing to a need to further brace the state against a potential recession, Gov. Ron DeSantis issued $3.13 billion in vetoes Thursday as he signed a $109.9 billion budget for the fiscal year that will begin July 1.