Gov. DeSantis talks Florida 2025 budget

Writer: Nicholas Karsen
Published: Updated:

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis held a news conference in Tallahassee regarding the state’s proposed budget for 2025.

The governor’s approach is to “Focus on Fiscal Responsibility,” as he announced that the state’s budget is $115.6 billion.

During his announcement on Monday, DeSantis said that around $14.6 billion would remain in reserve, $4.2 billion in the unallocated general revenue, and around $4.6 billion in the state’s budget stabilization fund, otherwise referred to as a rainy day fund by the governor.

Several state tax holidays are expected to make a return, including back-to-school supplies, Freedom Month in July, two disaster preparedness months ahead of the length of hurricane season, and a marine time tax holiday, which will provide breaks for boat users.

The tax holidays will be announced throughout the year.

In addition to the abovementioned, a 2nd Amendment tax holiday will be added, forgiving sales tax on firearm and ammunition purchases.

The budget will include a proposal to raise the salaries of law enforcement and firefighters by 20%, as the governor championed their integral work in preserving Florida.

A proposal of around $1.5 billion has been made for state school funding, as DeSantis remarks on the success of the state’s school curriculum. According to DeSantis, state colleges would not receive an increase in 2025.

The governor then proposed a budget of around $1.5 billion for Everglades restoration efforts, emphasizing the importance in maintaining Florida’s ecosystem.

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