Ron DeSantis Proposes Florida State Budget for 2025-26

TALLAHASSEE – Earlier today, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis announced his budget proposal for Fiscal Year (FY) 2025-2026. DeSantis’ proposed budget, titled the “Focus on Fiscal Responsibility,” totals $115.6 billion and includes $14.6 billion in reserves. This budget represents a significant reduction in spending compared to last year while still leaving sufficient resources to address unforeseen economic challenges.

During DeSantis’ tenure, 2.7 million new businesses have been established in the state, all while cutting spending and saving taxpayers money. The Focus on Fiscal Responsibility Budget also aims to reduce tax-supported debt by an additional $1.7 billion and provides $2.2 billion in tax relief.

“Florida’s steadfast commitment to fiscal conservatism is why we are in such good financial shape,” DeSantis said. “Florida has experienced historic success by keeping government spending low while balancing significant investments in meaningful initiatives. These include expanding workforce education for high-demand jobs, providing family-first tax relief, ensuring that Florida’s students can access a quality education that fits their needs, expanding infrastructure to reduce congestion, and restoring the Everglades. It is proof positive that when you act responsibly with taxpayers’ money, success will follow. I look forward to accomplishing even more for this state in the coming year on this firm financial footing.”

An overview of the budget provided by Gov. DeSantis’ office is posted below.

Historic Tax Relief for Florida Businesses and Families
The Focus on Fiscal Responsibility Budget recommends $2.2 billion in tax relief for Florida families. The tax relief package permanently eliminates the Business Rent Tax, in addition to providing traditional and new sales tax holidays to help Floridians keep more money in their pockets. The tax package includes: 

• The repeal of the state’s Business Rent Tax, saving Florida businesses $1.6 billion.
• $100 million for the creation of a new venture capital tax credit program that incentivizes investment in ventures in research, innovation, science, and engineering.
• The permanent extension of the sales tax exemption for Data Center Property, to incentivize artificial intelligence infrastructure growth that will create jobs and strategically place Florida at the forefront of research and technology.
• A 14-day Back-to-School sales tax holiday, saving Florida families $87 million on school supplies, clothing and computers.
• Two 14-day Disaster Preparedness sales tax holidays, saving Florida families $72 million on hurricane supplies.
• A one-month Freedom Summer sales tax holiday, saving Florida families $82 million on outdoor recreation items during the summer.
• A seven-day Tool Time sales tax holiday, saving skilled workers $18 million on tools they need for work.
• Second Amendment sales tax holiday, between Memorial Day and the Fourth of July, saving Floridians $8 million on ammunition, firearms, and related accessories.
• A two-month boating fuel tax holiday, saving Floridians $27 million by reducing the motor fuel taxes levied on 90 octane, unleaded, ethanol free gasoline blend, commonly known as REC-90, by 29.5 cents.
• A one-year exemption of the intangible tax on mortgages, saving Floridians $170 million, for the first $500,000 of residential mortgages for the purchase of a primary, owner-occupied, residence.
• A 2-year delay of the imposition of natural gas fuel taxes that would otherwise go into effect January 1, 2026, saving over $2 million.

Home Hardening and Insurance Premium Reduction Programs
The Focus on Fiscal Responsibility Budget prioritizes home hardening programs to continue efforts to lower property insurance premiums for Floridians and help reduce the costly impacts of hurricane damage to homes across the state. The Budget invests over $600 million for the My Safe Florida Home and Condo grant programs to provide free inspections and cost sharing for approved home hardening and wind mitigation projects. This includes: 

• $480 million in additional current year funds to address the 45,000 homeowners with completed inspections that are waiting on additional funding to apply for a grant under the My Safe Florida Home Program.
• $109 million in recurring funds to provide approximately 10,000 new inspections and grants annually under the My Safe Florida Home Program.
• $30 million to restore the My Safe Florida Home Condominium Pilot Program to allow for more condo associations to apply for the program, as current year funds are already maxed out. 

Educating Florida’s K-12 Students
Florida is the education state – ranking #1 in a variety of different educational categories, including overall education and education freedom. Florida has prioritized providing our students with a high-quality education that fits their individual needs. The Focus on Fiscal Responsibility Budget builds on Florida’s record investments in education, providing a historic $29.7 billion in funding for the K-12 public school system. This will include the highest per student investment ever, providing $9,205 per student, an increase of $222 over last year. This investment will also cover the costs of nearly 360,000 students who are projected to participate in Florida’s school choice program – the Family Empowerment Scholarship.

Additional funding highlights for Florida’s K-12 students include: 

• $1.5 billion to provide salary increases for teachers and other instructional personnel, an increase of nearly $250 million over FY 2024-2025.
• $1.76 billion for early childhood education, including $465 million for Voluntary Prekindergarten.
• $300 million for the Safe Schools Allocation, an increase of $10 million over FY 2024-2025.
• $18 million to support civics engagement programs, including $10 million for the Florida Civics Seal of Excellence Program. 

Florida Leads the Nation for Higher Education
Florida has ranked #1 for Higher Education for nearly a decade, while also holding the line on tuition to provide a quality education at an affordable price. The Governor’s Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Budget builds on Florida’s success and ensures that Florida will continue to have the top education system in the country.

For colleges and universities, the Focus on Fiscal Responsibility Budget recommends: 

• $1.7 billion for the Florida College System
• $3.9 billion for the State University System
• $100 million for continued recruitment and retention of quality faculty at our state  universities.
• $147 million for Florida’s four Historically Black Colleges and Universities.

Providing a quality education that leads to quality jobs is an important part of ensuring that Florida’s workforce can continue to meet the demand of the job market. When the Governor took office, he set a goal of being the best state in the nation for workforce education by the year 2030, and Florida is well on its way to meet this goal, investing more than $10 billion in workforce education since 2019. The Governor’s Budget continues this progress by investing $766 million for workforce education programs, ensuring that Floridians can continue to access workforce education opportunities that lead to high-demand, high-wage jobs. This investment includes: 

• $130 million for nursing education programs to help address nursing vacancies.
• $100 million for the Workforce Development Capitalization Incentive Grant Program to expand or establish career and technical education programs;
• $20 million for the Governor’s Pathways to Career Opportunities Grant Program to support pre-apprenticeship and apprenticeship programs for high school and college students.

Keeping Florida’s Economic Development Running Strong
Florida is the fastest growing state in the nation because Governor DeSantis has championed freedom first policies and continued investments that create opportunities for Florida families to thrive. The Focus on Fiscal Responsibility Budget continues to make smart investments to support Florida’s infrastructure, workforce and economy to ensure we meet the demand of our growing state. 

To support Florida’s transportation network and infrastructure, the Focus on Fiscal Responsibility Budget invests: 

• $13.8 billion for the state transportation work program to construct and maintain Florida’s transportation network.
• The immediate advancement of $1.7 billion to expedite congestion relief along Interstate-4.
• $25 million for Florida’s ports, logistics centers, fuel pipelines, and vertiports.

Additionally, the proposed budget makes the state’s annual investment in aggregate and construction materials permanent to support Florida-based materials.

To help create new jobs and support business development throughout the state, the Focus on Fiscal Responsibility Budget invests: 

• $75 million for the Job Growth Grant Fund to support local infrastructure and workforce training projects.
• $80 million to continue marketing efforts through VISIT FLORIDA.  

Florida’s rural communities are an important part of the success of our state, and the Focus on Fiscal Responsibility Budget continues to provide our rural communities with the resources they need to thrive. This includes: 

• $25 million for the Rural Infrastructure Fund to support local infrastructure projects that help attract jobs.
• $91.9 million for the Small County Outreach Program to assist small county governments in repairing infrastructure. 

As Florida continues to grow and attract new workers, it is important to ensure that they can access housing in the communities that they work. To support workforce housing, the Focus on Fiscal Responsibility Budget includes: 

• $178.5 million for the State Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP) program.
• $227.7 million for the State Apartment Incentive Loan (SAIL) program.
• $100 million for the fourth year of the Hometown Heroes Housing program to provide down payment and closing cost assistance for first time homebuyers while adding members of the State Guard to the list of eligible applicants.

Supporting Law Enforcement and the Military
Governor DeSantis has always recognized the invaluable contributions made to Florida by its law enforcement and military communities. They risk their lives every day to protect Floridians, and they will be on the front lines of combatting illegal immigration into our state. To support Florida’s law enforcement and military communities, the Focus on Fiscal Responsibility Budget includes:

• $505 million and 15 FTE are provided to the Division of Emergency Management in the current year to ensure Florida stands ready to enforce President Trump’s Illegal Immigration policies.
• $4.4 million and 21 FTE are provided to establish a Special Immigration Enforcement Unit at the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission to secure Florida’s coastlines and waterways from illegal alien activity.
• More than $100 million to increase the pay of our state law enforcement officers and firefighters who put their lives on the line every day.
• $23 million for the fourth year of the Law Enforcement Recruitment Bonus Program, which provides a signing bonus of up to $5,000 for those hired as first-time law enforcement officers in Florida.
• $10 million to continue the State Assistance for Fentanyl Eradication (S.A.F.E.) Program to continue to assist local governments in their fight against drugs.
• Just under $1 million to assist local law enforcement with sex offender registration and compliance requirements.
• $1.7 million to support the Florida Department of Law Enforcement’s election crimes unit to ensure safe and fair elections in Florida.
• $7 million for the Defense Infrastructure Grant Program, which provides funding for infrastructure projects that make a positive impact on the military value of installations within the state.
• $5 million for the Florida Defense Support Commission, which supports the Florida defense industry by awarding grants and guiding the future of military installation operations in the state.
• $5.7 million for the Military Base Protection Program, which helps secure non-conservation lands to serve as a buffer protecting military installations from encroachment and supports local community efforts to engage in service partnerships with military installations, and the Defense Reinvestment Grant which provides support for community-based activities that protect military installations.
• $5 million for a dedicated state training facility for waterborne rescues operated by the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

Investing in Florida’s Everglades and Water Quality & Supply
Florida’s natural resources are directly tied to the economic strength of the state and provide important defenses against natural disasters such as hurricanes. Florida has made record investments in protecting our natural resources and conserving the Florida way of life, and Governor DeSantis continues this commitment in the Focus on Fiscal Responsibility Budget.

During Governor DeSantis’ first term as Governor, he signed record investments to protect Florida’s Everglades and support water quality, investing a record $3.3 billion. At the start of his second term, he called for a historic $3.5 billion investment over the next four years. The Governor’s Budget recommends $1.5 billion for Everglades restoration and water quality, bringing the total investment during the Governor’s second term to $4.8 billion. This investment includes $805 million for Everglades restoration projects:

• $613 million for the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP).
• $64 million for the EAA Reservoir to continue the momentum of this critical project to reduce harmful discharges and help send more clean water south of the Everglades.
• $50 million for specific project components designed to achieve the greatest reductions in harmful discharges to the Caloosahatchee and St. Lucie Estuaries.
• $78 million for the Northern Everglades and Estuaries Protection Program.
• In addition, $3 million is included for the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission to remove pythons from the Everglades.

To continue protecting Florida’s water quality and supply, the Governor is recommending $550 million for targeted water quality improvements to achieve significant, meaningful, and measurable nutrient reductions in key waterbodies. This includes: 

• $275 million for the expanded Water Quality Improvement Grant Program for projects to construct, upgrade or expand wastewater facilities, including septic to sewer conversions, stormwater management projects, and agricultural nutrient reduction projects.
• $100 million for the Indian River Lagoon (IRL) Protection Program for priority projects to improve water quality in the IRL, as called for in Executive Order 23-06.
• $50 million to accelerate projects to meet scientific nutrient reduction goals, called Total Maximum Daily Loads.
• $80 million for the Lower Kissimmee Basin Stormwater Treatment Area project to reduce the levels of phosphorus and nitrogen in the Kissimmee River prior to flowing into Lake Okeechobee.
• $20 million for critical infrastructure including wastewater and stormwater projects that address water quality impairments and coral reef restoration in Biscayne Bay.
• $25 million for water quality improvements in the Caloosahatchee River watershed.

Additional water quality investments include $50 million to restore Florida’s world-renowned springs and for land acquisition to protect springsheds as well as $85 million to improve water quality and combat the impacts of harmful algal blooms, including blue-green algae and red tide. The Focus on Fiscal Responsibility Budget includes $60 million for the Alternative Water Supply Grant Program to help communities plan for and implement vital conservation, reuse and other alternative water supply projects.

To support conservation lands and to protect the great outdoors for generations of Floridians to enjoy, the Focus on Fiscal Responsibility Budget invests $69 million in Florida’s State Parks for infrastructure improvements and resource management with the goal of maintaining Florida’s world class parks, which have won the National Gold Medal a record four times. The budget also includes more than $132 million to protect Florida’s conservation lands and waterways to ensure Florida’s prized properties are accessible for future generations of Florida families. This funding includes $100 million for the Florida Forever Program, the state’s blueprint for conserving Florida’s natural and recreation lands, including those located within the Florida Wildlife Corridor. 

Florida is home to 1,300 miles of coastline which plays an important role in Florida’s economy and quality of life, attracting visitors from across the world and providing an invaluable defense against hurricanes. The Focus on Fiscal Responsibility Budget includes $100 million in beach nourishment funding to bolster our shorelines. Additionally, the Governor is recommending $26.2 million for coral reef protection and restoration, including $11.2 million to continue Florida’s Coral Reef Restoration and Recovery Initiative established in Executive Order 23-06, to restore 25 percent of Florida’s Coral Reef by 2050. 

The Focus on Fiscal Responsibility Budget also prioritizes the protection of Florida’s working agricultural lands and family farms, providing an annual appropriation of $100 million to the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program to enter into perpetual conservation easements. In order to preserve Florida’s iconic citrus industry, the budget invests more than $20 million for citrus research and the Citrus Health Response Program. This includes $7 million for research and additional advertising by the Department of Citrus.

The Focus on Fiscal Responsibility Budget also includes $30 million to restore Florida’s Oyster’s reefs in Apalachicola Bay. Over the last two decades, bay wide declines in oyster reef size from over 2,000 acres to less than 100 acres resulted in a reduction of oyster populations that led to the ongoing fishery closure, instituted in 2020. This project will provide for continued restoration in Apalachicola Bay in support of sustainable oyster reefs that protect and enhance the ecosystem services this natural resource provides to the public.

To further protect Florida’s rural areas and communities surrounded by Florida’s beautiful forests, the Governor’s Budget provides $4 million to support the replanting of trees and timber impacted by hurricanes and natural disasters, in addition to investing over $45 million in Florida’s efforts to effectively combat wildfires including equipment, and wildfire suppression activities, such as prescribed burning.

The Focus on Fiscal Responsibility Budget also includes $206 million for the cleanup of contaminated sites with a focus on promoting redevelopment of these areas once cleanup has been completed.

Supporting Disaster Response, Recovery and Mitigation
In 2024, Governor DeSantis, the Division of Emergency Management, state agencies and local partners rose to the significant challenges imposed by disasters including hurricanes Debby, Helene, and Milton. The Focus on Fiscal Responsibility Budget provides $1.24 billion in state and federal funding for disaster recovery, mitigation, and emergency management to continue helping Floridians impacted by a disaster while preparing for future disasters. 

This includes $344 million in state match for the state cost share associated with authorized federal funding to eligible local and state recipients for reimbursement of the response and recovery cost, as well as state management costs relating to federally declared disasters. 

Strong infrastructure is the best way to protect the state’s shorelines against the impacts of a future hurricane, and that includes both natural and physical infrastructure improvements. With the additional investment of $261 million for infrastructure projects in our local communities, Governor DeSantis has invested over $2 billion to strengthen the state’s coastal infrastructure and helped communities prepare for the impacts of flooding and hurricanes through targeted funding and directives that enhance efforts to protect our inland waterways, coastlines, shores, and coral reefs—all of which serve as invaluable defenses against flooding.

Additionally, the Focus on Fiscal Responsibility Budget includes $150 million in additional federal Community Development Block Grant funds for local hurricane recovery and hardening efforts throughout the state, including the Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery Program and the Community Development Block Grant Mitigation Program.

Investing in a Healthier Florida
Governor DeSantis has been steadfast in his commitment to supporting the healthy lives of Floridians. This includes providing support for those struggling with mental health and substance abuse and victims of human trafficking in addition to supporting Florida’s seniors, Floridians with unique abilities, veterans, and Florida’s mothers and children. The Governor has also prioritized critical cancer research and innovative treatments. 

To support mental health resiliency and those suffering from substance abuse, the Focus on Fiscal Responsibility Budget recommends: 

• More than $151.4 million for behavioral health services, including support for forensic bed capacity and operations of the state mental health treatment facilities.
• More than $175.8 million from the nationwide Opioid Settlement Agreement to continue support for the Office of Opioid Recovery, an accredited Graduate Medical Education program to increase the number of residents in areas such as addiction medicine, addiction psychiatry, and pain medicine, and for other initiatives that support prevention and treatment for individuals with substance abuse issues.
• $31.8 million to continue the expansion of the CORE Network across the state, which has already served thousands of Floridians.

To support important cancer research, the Focus on Fiscal Responsibility Budget includes:

• Historic funding for cancer, with more than $266.9 million in funding for cancer research, including $30 million in new funding to support the Cancer Connect Collaborative Incubator, which will have an initial focus on pediatric cancer research.
• $132.5 million for the Casey DeSantis Cancer Research Program to fund competitive grants and $60 million for the Florida Cancer Innovation Fund to further bolster cancer research and care. 

To support Florida’s mothers, their children, and the children in the child welfare system, the Focus on Fiscal Responsibility Budget invests:

• More than $114.2 million to support those served by the child welfare system. Funding will support foster parents and caregivers, community-based services, local prevention grants, and additional family navigators to connect high risk families and children to resources and supports through collaboration with front line child protective investigators.
• An increase of $10.6 million to enhance the Extended Foster Care Program for young adults to provide financial assistance and resources to help these individuals meet their daily needs and work towards their personal and professional goals.
• An increase of $17.3 million, for adoption subsidies to provide continued support to those who have adopted children from the child welfare system.
• $1 million to launch new pilot programs focusing on preventing human trafficking among at-risk children, providing crucial support and resources to protect Florida’s most vulnerable populations. 

To support Florida’s seniors, the Focus on Fiscal Responsibility Budget recommends: 

• An increase of $6 million to serve additional seniors as part of the Alzheimer’s Disease Initiative.
• An additional $15 million to increase services through the Community Care for the Elderly Program and the Home Care for the Elderly Program. Funding will provide additional support for seniors at risk for out of home placement.

To support Floridians with unique abilities, the Focus on Fiscal Responsibility Budget invests more than $93.7 million in funding to allow additional individuals with disabilities to be provided with necessary services through the Home and Community Based Services Waiver. Funding is also provided to support the planning and development of a new waiver to provide targeted services for adults with unique abilities who are entering adulthood.  

The Focus on Fiscal Responsibility Budget invests an additional $15.3 million to support capital improvements for the State Veterans’ Nursing Homes. The budget continues an investment of $2 million to assist veterans to develop valuable skills, secure employment, and start businesses, while providing Florida employers with a reliable source of trained and experienced professionals.