TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Florida lawmakers were back in Tallahassee Tuesday for the start of a special session to finalize the state budget.
State senators and representatives were called up to the Florida Capitol to discuss competing budget proposals, and an agreement must be reached by the end of June to avoid a state government shutdown.
The Senate has proposed a $115 billion budget, which is about a billion and a half more than the House wants to spend.
“The situation is pretty urgent for us to bring together both sides of the aisle and both chambers to pass a balanced budget that will fund all of our essential services and responsibilities like public education, health care services, public safety, transportation, and my goal is really to ensure bringing money back to our district,” said State Rep. Anna Eskamani.
Once lawmakers decide on a budget, it has to be reviewed by Gov. Ron DeSantis, who has the power to veto it and finalize the budget with any adjustments he believes are necessary.
The special session is expected to end by May 29.