DeSantis signs a slimmed-down Florida budget into law after vetoing millions
Tallahassee, Florida – Florida Republican Governor Ron Desantis signed the new state budget of around $ 115 billion on Monday, capping the end of a long combative legislative season which was largely defined by the intestinal gop, despite the iron take on Tallahassee.
The signature came “just to the buzzer,” said Desantis, one day before the budget entry into force. It took 105 days on the legislators to finalize the spending plan, during what was supposed to be a 60 -day session.
The budget reaches approximately $ 4 billion less than the current adjusted budget of the state, and is almost $ 600 million less than the proposed budget of the Legislative Assembly, after Desantis used its veto of lineage to reduce the spending projects.
“I think what you see in the budget is an example of a very responsible state,” said Desantis. “We meet the needs of the state of Florida on which I think most people want us to focus. We are not, you know, to waste it. ”
The new budget and a set of related tax reduction include a 2% increase for state workers and an increase in wages from 10% to 15% for the application of state law, $ 1.3 billion per year of tax discounts for families and businesses, and 4 billion dollars to finance scholarships for private and religious schools.
Democrats have supported the budget, but some criticized the expenses of good and tax reductions, arguing for more funding for public schools and programs that support low -income families.
The governor of the second mandate, who cannot present himself to re -election in 2026, organized the event of signature of the bill in the villages, one of the largest retirement communities in the world and a place known for a long time as a conservative bastion.
DESANTIS used the event to boast a list of familiar discussion points, to worry about an self -proclaimed democratic socialist who presents himself for the mayor of New York, while praising his own repression against diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives and his efforts to eliminate land taxes in the state, a change that voters should approve.
The adoption of a tighter state budget occurs while civil servants are struggling with the loss of federal funding of the coronavirus and economists are worried about the trade wars of republican president Donald Trump and a radical proposal aimed at reducing federal taxes and expenses.
Florida’s legislative leaders have largely minimized concerns about how the aggressive and unpredictable economic policies of Trump could have an impact on state coffers, but legislators take action to reserve billions of dollars in reserves.
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Kate Payne is a member of the body for the Associated Press / Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a non-profit national services program that places journalists from local editorial rooms to account for undercurrent issues.
