Florida lawmakers prepare to tackle the state budget in a new special session, and President Donald Trump discusses cutting the federal gas tax amidst high gas prices countrywide.
Lawmakers in Tallahassee prepare to reach deal with state budget
Florida lawmakers have returned to Tallahassee to resume work on the state budget.
This is now the second special session for Florida lawmakers since their regularly-scheduled 60-day legislative session ended on March 13.
It’s now the second consecutive year Florida Republicans couldn’t finish the budget on time. Completing the state budget is the one thing that they are constitutionally required to do.
“You can feel the energy is completely different, you know. Now we are completely here to work. We understand there’s at least a light at the end of the tunnel. And I think there’s a level of seriousness to that point, and I think we’re going to get it done,” State Rep. Danny Alvarez said.
It’s taken them all of 2026 to meet in the middle over about a $1.4 billion disagreement.
“It’s been personality, it’s been old grudges and that sort of thing that’s kept us apart. But I think those days are gone. I think now there is a view that we’re going to put all their swords down and we’re going to get a budget done, get the people’s business done,” State Sen. Don Gaetz said.
Lawmakers are giving themselves two weeks to crunch numbers and reach an agreement.
“We should have completed this in the 60-day regular session. It’s a shame that the people of Florida are the victims of this, frankly, overreach and infighting and dysfunction within the majority party,” State Rep. Fentrice Driskell said.
Members will meet up throughout the week, trying to find some common ground. The big goal is to get everything said and done, wrapped up before May 29.
“You know, this process takes some time, especially when we’re fighting for a fair and balanced budget. You know, we need to make sure that we get it right for Floridians,” State Rep. Danny Nix Jr. said.
The final budget agreement might range from $113 billion to $115 billion.
Some key issues here, among others, include school funding, environmental protection, affordability initiatives and more.
DeSantis signs pet safety bills into law
Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a pair of bills into law Tuesday focused on ensuring animal welfare and protecting pet owners from potentially predatory practices.
The two bills will take effect in July and build on existing law to help in the creation of a statewide registry for people convicted of animal abuse.
“These are really great reforms. It builds off of a lot of what we’ve been doing over many many years. And I’m glad that we’re here to be able to make it official,” DeSantis said.
The governor referenced several other actions his administration has taken against animal cruelty in recent years, including Trooper’s Law, which allows felony charges for anyone who abandons a dog during a natural disaster.
That law was inspired by a dog left chained up during Hurricane Milton, who was rescued by Florida Highway Patrol troopers.
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