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FLORIDA - Florida legislators concluded an unusually turbulent session Monday night by approving a $115.1 billion spending plan for the 2025–2026 fiscal year, narrowly avoiding a collapse amid bitter intra-party battles and deep policy divisions.
The Senate gave unanimous approval to SB 2500, while the House followed with a decisive 103–2 vote, ending a session that overran its May 2nd schedule by more than six weeks and finally adjourned at 11:19 p.m.
The budget trims $3.5 billion from last year’s total and is slightly smaller than Gov. Ron DeSantis’ original $115.6 billion proposal.
A headline provision is a $1.3 billion tax-cut package that permanently removes the sales tax on commercial-lease rent, a move expected to save businesses roughly $905 million annually.
It also enshrines a back-to-school tax holiday each August and expands exemptions on hurricane gear, sunscreen, insect repellent, bike helmets, and even state-park entry.
Lawmakers also proposed a constitutional amendment to raise the rainy-day fund cap to 25 percent, potentially directing $750 million per year into reserves pending voter approval.
Fiscal conservatives framed the choices as prudent housekeeping after fluctuations in federal pandemic dollars, with leaders insisting tough decisions were essential.
But critics warned that political infighting resulted in missed opportunities, especially on issues affecting working families, teacher funding, and property-tax relief.
The budget includes pay raises for most state employees, increased funding for water and environmental projects, and a slight boost in per-student school spending.
The final budget now heads to the desk of Gov. DeSantis, who holds line-item veto power and could still reshape the final product.