The Joint Legislative Budget Commission met in September to hear a budget presentation by Florida’s chief economist Amy Baker. Ms. Baker reported that the upcoming Fiscal Year 2020-2021 should see a budget surplus of $289.3 million. However, she cautioned that storm clouds may be on the horizon as the threat of a recession increases. A Read more about From the Capitol[…]
The Florida Legislature completed its only constitutional duty when it passed the Fiscal Year 2019-2020 budget at 2:03pm on Saturday, May 4th, after extending session one extra day to meet the 72-hour review period. The funding proposal was unanimously approved by the Senate and a 106-2 House vote. The budget, as passed, is for a Read more about From the Capitol[…]
We are just beyond the halfway point of the 2019 Legislative Session. This year 3,442 bills were filed by both the House and the Senate. Under the leadership of Senate President Bill Galvano (R-Bradenton) and House Speaker Jose Oliva (R-Hialeah), the appropriations bills and various policy bills have been moving through committees these past few Read more about From the Capitol[…]
The 2018 Legislative Session ended at 4:16pm on Sunday, March 11th. Session was extended to allow for the required 72-hour review period of the budget. The budget conference committee did not conclude its work until the previous Thursday. This session, 3,250 bills were filed and 200 bills passed both chambers. In contrast, 3,132 bills were Read more about From the Capitol[…]
Below is a sampling of bills signed by Governor Rick Scott that will go into effect tomorrow, July 1st. SB 2500, the state’s $80 billion budget. HB 7022, provides pay raises to state employees. HB 7109, the measure includes a three-day back-to-school tax holiday and eliminates sales taxes on feminine hygiene products. HB 305, allows law-enforcement Read more about Bills going into effect July 1st[…]