Late last Sunday, Governor Ron DeSantis released the required recommended budget for Florida’s 2025-2026 fiscal year, due 30 days in advance of the start of the legislative session, beginning March 4. The Governor’s “Focus on Fiscal Responsibility Budget” recommends $115.6 billion in spending, more than $3 billion less than our current state budget. To its name, the proposed budget also includes $14.6 billion in reserves and the reduction of 741 positions.
Other highlights include:
- A $2.2 billion tax reduction package, including calling for the full-elimination of the Florida-only business rent tax over the next two years;
- $766 million to support workforce education programs;
- $1.5 billion toward protecting the Everglades and improving water quality;
- $13.8 billion for the State Transportation Work Program, marking 10+ years of more than $10 billion being spent to improve Florida’s infrastructure;
- Full funding of the state’s affordable housing programs, SHIP and SAIL, which provide homeowner and rental assistance programs;
- $75 million for the Florida Job Growth Grant Fund, an economic development program that funds public infrastructure and workforce training projects
- $80 million for VISIT Florida, the state’s tourism marketing arm;
- $151.4 million to support behavioral health services
The Governor’s recommended budget signals that session is near, where the legislature will kick off their own budgeting process as the branch of government responsible for appropriations. An annual budget is the only item that the legislature is constitutionally required to pass each year.
For questions on the Governor’s budget or the upcoming legislative session, contact our Vice President of Government Affairs, Carolyn Johnson, at cjohnson@flchamber.com.