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The governor of Florida, Ron DeSantis, signed the budget for the fiscal year 2025-2026 on Monday, which, he stated, reflects many of his key priorities.
The financial plan is just 10 million dollars below its original recommendations and is presented as a strong package in support of education, public safety, and the environment, DeSantis emphasized on social media.
Since taking office in 2019, Florida has tripled its Rainy Day Fund, and with the new budget, this reserve fund has reached its constitutional limit.
DeSantis also emphasized that the state will have paid almost half of its historical debt for this fiscal year and announced a policy of accelerated repayment of a minimum debt of 250 million dollars annually in the coming years.
In economic terms, the budget provides more than $2 billion in tax relief.
These include a permanent tax exemption for back-to-school in August, the elimination of the commercial rental tax, tax exemptions for disaster preparedness items, and a tax holiday related to the Second Amendment, which will be in effect from September 8 to December 31.
In total, DeSantis has granted nearly $10 billion in tax cuts since 2019.
Public education is a main focus. The budget allocates $1.36 billion for salary increases for full-time teachers with at least two years of experience, ensuring the highest level of investment per student in K-12 education in the state's history.
In addition, it allocates 7.4 million for civic education, aiming to reinforce knowledge about democracy, citizenship, and the foundational principles of the country.
In higher education, the commitment to the Bright Futures Scholarship remains, which will be fully funded with an investment of $637.7 million, preserving affordable access to public universities in the state, which rank first nationally in quality and cost.
DeSantis also reaffirmed his commitment to the environment, allocating $1.4 billion for water quality and the restoration of the Everglades, bringing the total investment in this area to $4.6 billion in just three years, already surpassing his initial goal for a second term.
The budget also includes $15.1 billion for projects from the Florida Department of Transportation, aimed at modernizing infrastructure and stimulating economic development.
According to the governor, every dollar invested in transportation generates more than four dollars in economic benefits for Floridians.
Finally, substantial salary increases are granted to state police and firefighters, along with $5,000 bonuses for recruiting new law enforcement officers, an initiative that continues for the fourth consecutive year.
DeSantis emphasized that these measures reaffirm his administration's support for law enforcement and emergency services.
Starting this Tuesday, over 100 new laws will come into effect in Florida, in one of the most extensive legislative packages promoted by Governor Ron DeSantis.
The measures impact diverse areas such as public safety, education, health, immigration, the environment, housing, justice, and transportation, with direct effects on the daily lives of millions of state residents.
Among the most significant changes are harsher penalties for animal abuse, drug distribution and fraud, new security requirements in schools, regulations for evictions and the ownership of dangerous dogs, as well as measures to support veterans, individuals with disabilities, and children with chronic illnesses.
Tourism by migrants on improvised vessels is also prohibited, and state parks are legally protected from commercial developments.
In health, access to treatments in schools is expanded, and hospitals are required to detect substances like fentanyl. In education, civic, technical, and preventive instruction is reinforced, along with the incorporation of training on human trafficking and cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
On another note, Florida could have a second immigration detention center, or at least that is the goal of Governor Ron DeSantis, who is considering establishing a facility at Camp Blanding, a National Guard training center located about 30 miles from Jacksonville in the northeastern part of the state.
Frequently Asked Questions about Ron DeSantis' New Florida Budget
What are the main priorities of the new Florida budget signed by DeSantis?
The main priorities of Florida's new budget are education, public safety, and the environment. The budget allocates $1.36 billion for salary increases for teachers and ensures the highest investment per student in the state's history. Regarding the environment, it designates $1.4 billion for water quality and the restoration of the Everglades. Additionally, salary increases are provided for police officers and firefighters, reinforcing the administration's support for law enforcement.
What fiscal measures does DeSantis' budget include?
The budget includes more than 2 billion dollars in tax relief. This encompasses a permanent tax exemption for back-to-school expenses, the elimination of the commercial rental tax, tax exemptions for disaster preparedness items, and a tax holiday related to the Second Amendment. Since 2019, DeSantis has granted nearly 10 billion in tax cuts.
How will education in Florida benefit from the new budget?
The budget allocates $1.36 billion for salary increases for teachers and ensures the highest investment per student in K-12 in Florida's history. Additionally, $7.4 million is designated for civic education, and the commitment to the Bright Futures Scholarship is maintained, funded with $637.7 million, preserving affordable access to the state’s public universities.
What environmental impacts are expected with DeSantis' new budget?
DeSantis's budget allocates 1.4 billion dollars for water quality and Everglades restoration. This brings the total investment in that area to 4.6 billion in just three years, exceeding the initial goal for the governor's second term. These measures reflect a strong commitment to the conservation and enhancement of Florida's natural environment.
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