TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCTV/Gray Florida Capital Bureau) – Florida lawmakers are positioned to negotiate the state’s multi-billion-dollar budget after the Senate passed its proposal in a rare Friday session, with chambers facing a $1.4 billion gap between their competing plans.
The Senate passed a $115 billion budget Friday, while the House passed its $113.6 billion budget Thursday. The difference between the two proposals is significantly smaller than last year’s gap.
“We have produced, for two years in a row, a budget that lowered spending over the prior year,” said Rep. Daniel Perez, the Republican House Speaker.
Both chambers agree on cutting the state budget, but must now work to resolve their differences. The House and Senate need to close the $1.4 billion gap through negotiations.
“Since the great recession, the Florida House has produced its proposed General Appropriations Act by Week 6 and here we are today – on time and ready to proceed,” Perez said.
Communication between the chambers has been strained. The Senate delayed its budget release, but the House released its proposal the same day anyway. Perez told representatives the House is ready to work.
“We will talk to anyone; anytime; about anything. We will never let personalities or past resentments impede our work,” Perez said.
Senate President Ben Albritton said the work should be easier, given that the chambers are much closer than where they started last year, which resulted in an extended session.
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“Looking at the totals by silos, we’ve got a starting place. I look forward to having the conversations and expect those to begin quickly,” Albritton said.
Leaders first need to agree on funding levels for areas including education, healthcare, and transportation. The goal is to complete the budget by day 60 of the legislative session.
Democrats in both chambers hope that timeline can be met.
“I believe we should be here for the nine weeks that we are supposed to be here for and not go beyond that. There are three weeks,” said Sen. Lori Berman, the Democratic Minority Leader.
Rep. Christine Hunschofsky, a Democrat from Parkland, said lawmakers have sufficient time to complete their work.
“I think we’re all keeping hope alive. We have one constitutional responsibility to pass a balanced budget. We have 60 days to do that. That’s ample time, and if we’re serving the people, that’s where we’ll end up,” Hunschofsky said.
Perez said the House will not be rushed in its negotiations.
“Please understand, we will not be pushed by artificial deadlines. We will not sacrifice a little integrity to gain a little time,” Perez said.
The legislature will pass a smaller budget than last year and smaller than what Gov. Ron DeSantis is proposing this year.
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