TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis this week unveiled his latest budget proposal for next year, laying out how he wants to spend state funds.
In total, DeSantis’ proposal — dubbed by his office as the “Floridians First” budget — amounts to nearly $117.4 billion, a roughly 2% jump from the last approved state budget.
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That said, the governor’s latest proposal features several key spending highlights, which include the following components:
- Cutting Costs - Elimination of over 350 state positions and other bureaucratic shifts, which are expected to yield around $850 million in savings
- Pay Raises - A 2% cost-of-living adjustment for all state employees, along with 5% raises for law enforcement officers, Florida park rangers, judges, attorneys, and I.T. professionals
- Debt Reduction - Pay off over 50% of Florida’s tax-supported debt accumulated since statehood by 2027
- Maintain Reserves - Investment of nearly $17 billion in total state reserves alongside a balanced budget
Alongside these bullet points, the budget proposal also calls for another “Second Amendment Sales Tax Holiday.”
ANOTHER TAX HOLIDAY?
According to the governor’s office, this next sales tax holiday will include the same items as last time, along with even more items like decoys, and price hikes for fishing bait and tackle that are eligible for savings.
If enacted, the holiday would run from Sept. 7 through the end of the year, with an estimated $35 million in tax savings for hunters, anglers and campers.
PROPERTY TAXES
Stemming from DeSantis’ crusade to gut property taxes in Florida, his budget proposal also calls for $300 million to be set aside “to support ongoing policy considerations.”
While many local governments rely on property taxes to fund public services, DeSantis has proposed replacing “fiscally constrained” counties’ funding with surplus state funds.
And with several tax cut bills making their way through the Legislature, the governor’s office said the $300 million would help implement any tax relief framework that might be implemented.
ESG CRACKDOWN
Another important feature of the budget is a crackdown on Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) investing and spending, which DeSantis’ office dubbed “scams.”
Under DeSantis, a 2023 Florida law took effect that required state investments be based on returns, rather than these ESG factors.
Now, DeSantis’ new proposal seeks to expand that even further.
“The Budget recommends new safeguards against locally imposed ESG-related taxes and additional financial management protections to prevent the use of public funds to finance DEI mandates,” state officials wrote.
HIGHLIGHTS LIST
You can find even more budget highlights from DeSantis’ office listed out below:
| Category | Purpose | Funding Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Education | K-12 public school system funding | $30.6 billion |
| Education | Operating funding for State University System | $4 billion |
| Education | Operating funding for Florida College System | $1.9 billion |
| Education | Funding for early child education | $1.7 billion |
| Education | Teacher pay increases | $1.56 billion |
| Education | Safe Schools Allocation | $300 million |
| Education | Florida’s four historically Black colleges and universities | $146 million |
| Education | Rewards for quality nursing education programs to address nursing vacancies | $130 million |
| Education | Recruitment and retention of highly qualified faculty in State University System | $100 million |
| Environment & Natural Resources | Everglades and water quality projects | $1.4 billion |
| Environment & Natural Resources | Strengthen Florida’s coastline, including beach nourishment | $208 million |
| Fiscal Strength | Increase in total state reserves | $1.09 billion |
| Fiscal Strength | Reserved funds for ongoing property tax relief conversations | $300 million |
| Fiscal Strength | Accelerated debt repayment | $250 million |
| Fiscal Strength | Investment to max out Florida’s Rainy-Day Fund | $118 million |
| Fiscal Strength | Marketing efforts through Visit Florida | $80 million |
| Healthcare | Cancer research | $278 million |
| Healthcare | Behavioral health services | $159 million |
| Healthcare | Child welfare system, foster parents and community-based services | $36.6 million |
| Healthcare | Coordinated Opioid Recovery Network | $31.8 million |
| Healthcare | Support individuals with unique abilities | $20 million |
| Healthcare | Capital improvements for State Veterans’ Nursing Homes | $8.6 million |
| Healthcare | Community Care for the Elderly Program and Home Care for the Elderly Program | $7.5 million |
| Law Enforcement & Military | National Guard facilities, guardsmen seeking higher ed degrees, retention bonuses, and health insurance premium reimbursements | $91.7 million |
| Law Enforcement & Military | Equipping, training and recruiting new Florida State Guard members | $62 million |
| Law Enforcement & Military | Law Enforcement Recruitment Bonus Program | $25 million |
| Law Enforcement & Military | Florida State Assistance for Fentanyl Eradication (S.A.F.E.) Program | $15 million |
| Law Enforcement & Military | Pay raises to state law enforcement officers | $13.5 million |
| Transportation | Department of Transportation (FDOT) | $15.4 billion |
| Transportation | State transportation work program | $14.3 billion |
| Transportation | Highway construction and maintenance | $4.9 billion |