When the 2021 Florida Legislative Session wrapped up last Friday, it capped off a session where lawmakers passed a record $101.5 billion budget for the upcoming fiscal year that starts July 1.
According to the News Service of Florida, with the Covid-19 pandemic severely damaging the state’s economy last year, lawmakers feared they could face a multibillion-dollar budget shortfall. But, buoyed by billions of dollars in federal stimulus money and rebounding state tax revenues, lawmakers passed the record budget. Along with providing bonuses to first responders and a $50 million increase to raise teacher salaries, it includes dollars for Everglades restoration and addresses effects of sea-level rise.
The budget and the bills goes to Governor Ron DeSantis for his approval or vetoes.
“I look forward to us processing these bills (from the regular session) and looking through the budget. And we’ll see y’all back here in a few more weeks. I mean, our budget looks good, so why not put more in the kitty,” DeSantis said.
Lawmakers will return to Tallahassee during the week of May 17th for a special session on a proposed gambling deal with the Seminole Tribe of Florida.