state budget

Nearly a month after leaving the Capitol without passing a budget, House and Senate leaders said Friday night they had reached an agreement that will clear the way for lawmakers to begin hammering out details of a spending plan Tuesday.

When the legislature left after the 60-day regular session ended in May, they did so without passing the one, constitutionally mandated bill they have to pass each year: the state budget. The House and Senate are more than $4 billion apart in their spending plans.

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

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.

Florida's regular legislative session was scheduled to finish on May 2. But lawmakers extended it to finish the budget and address certain proposals. Your Florida talked with people across the state about how they think the first 60 days went.

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.

Despite proposing nearly $30 billion for K-12 education, advocates say it’s not enough.

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 Orlando Fringe and Tampa Fringe are offering to give up their grants if Gov. Ron DeSantis restores the $32 million in funding he nixed for more than 600 arts groups.