The annual budget process has already begun as Governor Ron DeSantis submitted his recommended Fiscal Year 2024-2025 budget to the Legislature on December 5th. The Governor’s Focus on Florida’s Future Budget proposal totals $114,447,407,482, which is $2.6 billion less than the current fiscal year’s budget. The proposed funding is enhanced through the contribution of $38,076,948,548 in federal funds.
The Governor has received criticism after Florida rejected federal funding for various programs. These include $320 million to address infrastructure; $341 million for a consumer rebate program to buy energy efficient appliances and retrofit homes; and $248 million to feed up to 2 million Florida children during the 2024 summer when they are out of school. The Legislature will be crafting their budget proposal during the session. the current budget is $117,026,747,547. This has been a record setting year for local funding initiatives/appropriation requests. To date, senators have submitted 1,340 requests, while representatives have filed 2,395. Last session, the Senate received 1,450 requests at the house dealt with 2,333.