Still No Budget Deal
No specific date has been announced yet, but Florida lawmakers will return to Tallahassee to hash-out differences on budget proposals.
Formal conference negotiations to address the legislative budget and tax impasse have still not started. After the House passed a resolution on May 12 to extend the session until the last day of the fiscal year (June 30), legislators were told they did not have to return to Tallahassee until after Memorial Day. The Senate has not passed the extension.
“There have been some behind the scenes negotiations between the House and Senate leadership, but no details have been released. It appears the House was relented on its $5 billion sales tax cut but is still holding firm on its demand for steep budget reductions,” said Florida TaxWatch.
Both chambers have indicated a reduction in the sales tax on commercial leases (Business Rent Tax) will be included. TaxWatch says we could even see the total elimination of this anti-competitive, burdensome tax.
“There’s nothing but gridlock going on right now between the state House and Senate on budget and tax package negotiations,’ says Florida Political analyst Ed Moore.
Senate President Ben Albritton (R-Wauchula) and House Speaker Daniel Perez (R-Miami) released memos to their respective chambers that noted work is still being done on budget allocations. The House previously passed House Concurrent Resolution Bill 1633, which extends the 2025 Legislative Session through June 30, 2025. However, the Senate has not yet agreed to this extension, as their current resolution extends Session through June 6, 2025.
But that hasn’t stopped the Governor from signing legislative measures that have been passed so far this year.
Governor DeSantis has signed more than 60 bills from the Legislature last week. Issues ranging from state land management, fleeing or attempting to elude a law enforcement officer, and middle and high school start times.
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