Florida lawmakers close to finalizing 2025-26 state budget after weeks of deadlock

Floridalawmakersclosetofinalizing2025-26statebudgetafterweeksofdeadlock’Weneedtodomore,’DeSantissaid.ForGov.RonDeSantis,thebudgetcomingtogetherduringnegotiationsamonglawmakersisseveraldayslateandseveralmilliondollarsshortinkeyareas. IntalksbetweenHouseandSenateleadersJune9andJune10,lawmakersagreedtoaspendingplanthatdoesn’tincludeacutinpropertytaxesusedforschools,fallsshyofwhatDeSantiswantedforraisesforstatetroopersandleavesoutfundingforHopeFlorida,aconservativealternativetowelfarechampionedbyFirstLadyCaseyDeSantis. “AnyattempttotrytoshortchangeHighwayPatrolwillnotbeviewedfavorably,certainly(not)bymeandIknow(not)bythepeopleofFlorida,”DeSantissaidduringaCabinetmeetingJune10. DeSantiscalledfora25%raiseforallveteranstatelawenforcementofficialsanda20%hikeforentry-levelofficers.Thebudgetdealincludesa10%raisefornewhiresand15%increaseforveteranofficers. TheLegislatureisalready40dayspastitsoriginally