Florida lawmakers’ only constitutional obligation is getting the state budget done.<\/p>\n
\nThis is the second year in a row lawmakers haven’t been able to do it during the regular session.<\/p>\n
Now, they’re coming back to Tallahassee on Tuesday to start a budget-focused special session. It’s currently scheduled to go from that day through May 29.<\/p>\n
\nDuring the first week, lawmakers will meet in committees organized by spending area until noon Friday at the latest. Everything that’s not figured out will get “bumped,” meaning sent to the budget chiefs. Sen. Ed Hooper, R-Trinity, and Rep. Lawrence McClure, R-Dover, are leading negotiations.<\/p>\n
\nWhile Hooper and McClure will make occasional appearances in the Capitol after Friday, most of those negotiations will take place behind closed doors.<\/p>\n
\nLegislative leadership says lawmakers will come back after Memorial Day to vote on the budget.<\/p>\n
\nThere’s a required 72-hour cooling-off period between when the final budget is released and when the vote can happen.<\/p>\n
\nOf course, the schedule may change, depending on how the Senate and House get along. If the budget doesn’t get done by the end of June, the state enters into a partial government shutdown, which has never happened before.<\/p>\n
\nThe budget then goes to Gov. Ron DeSantis, who has the power to veto individual spending items.<\/p>\n