Governor Ron DeSantis said the new Florida budget caps eight years of conservative leadership and “historic results.”

Governor Ron DeSantis signed the Budget for Fiscal Year (FY) 2026-2027, a $117.6 billion spending plan and said it reflects nearly eight years of conservative leadership anchored by fiscal discipline, responsible governance, and strategic investment. Following nearly $810 million in line-item vetoes, the budget marks the fourth consecutive year of declining state spending while continuing record investments in education, infrastructure, public safety, environmental conservation, and economic opportunity.

The Fiscal Year 2026–27 Budget represents the culmination of an administration that proved conservative governance can simultaneously reduce the size of government, pay down debt, build record reserves, lower taxes, and make historic investments in Florida’s future.

“Over the last seven and a half years, Florida has set the national standard for conservative governance, while breaking record after record in economic strength, education, and environmental stewardship,” said Republican Governor Ron DeSantis. “We’ve delivered billions in tax relief to families while making historic investments in the priorities that matter most to Floridians. The FY 2026-2027 Budget I signed today reflects the core priorities I laid out from the beginning. This budget protects taxpayers’ interests, cuts spending for the fourth year in a row, and makes meaningful investments to build on Florida’s successes in education, public safety, environmental conservation, infrastructure, cancer research, and more. I’m proud that Florida continues to serve as the prime example of fiscal responsibility and government that works for the people of our state.”

Governor DeSantis’ administration said that Florida has consistently demonstrated that strong fiscal stewardship produces long-term prosperity throughout his administration, adding that during his tenure:

• State spending has declined for four consecutive years while Florida has continued to invest in its highest priorities.
• Florida has maxed out its Rainy-Day fund to its constitutional limit of $5.0 billion, up from its initial balance of $1.5 billion in 2019.
• Florida has maintained balanced budgets and earned AAA credit ratings from every major credit rating agency.
• Total state reserves have grown to nearly $18 billion, providing one of the strongest fiscal positions in the nation.
• More than 50 percent of all state debt accumulated since statehood has been repaid ahead of schedule, with Florida now on track to retire approximately 52%.
• State government has reduced more than 1,300 positions while Florida’s population has grown by more than ten percent, maintaining the lowest number of state employees per capita among the nation’s largest states.
• Floridians have received nearly $9.7 billion in tax relief, including the complete repeal of the commercial rent tax, saving businesses approximately $2.7 billion annually.

Governor DeSantis’ commitment to investing in Florida’s future while maintaining fiscal responsibility has transformed every major area of state government.

Since 2019, Florida has increased funding for the Florida Education Finance Program by more than $8 billion, bringing total K-12 funding to a record $30 billion while raising per-student funding to $9,338, the highest level in state history. The administration has also invested $7.1 billion toward teacher salary increases, expanded the nation’s leading school choice programs, strengthened civics education, and maintained Florida’s position as the nation’s leader in higher education and education freedom.

Florida’s economy has likewise reached historic heights under Governor DeSantis’ leadership. The state’s economy has grown to nearly $1.8 trillion, representing approximately 65 percent growth since 2019. Florida continues to lead the nation in new business formations, with more than 3.8 million new businesses created during the Governor’s tenure, while strategic investments in workforce education, transportation infrastructure, and economic development continue positioning Florida for long-term success.

The administration has also delivered environmental achievements. Since taking office, Governor DeSantis has secured nearly $9.5 billion for Everglades restoration and water quality improvements, the largest environmental investment in Florida history. These investments have accelerated restoration projects years ahead of schedule, tripled South Florida’s water storage capacity, improved water quality statewide, and reinforced Florida’s position as the national leader in environmental conservation.

Public safety has remained a defining priority throughout the Governor’s administration. Florida became the first state to recruit law enforcement officers through signing bonuses, attracting more than 10,000 officers, while investing heavily in school safety, fentanyl enforcement, emergency preparedness, and immigration enforcement initiatives that have made Florida a national model for protecting its communities.

Republicans said the fiscal year 2026–27 budget continues these priorities by maintaining investments in education, strengthening transportation infrastructure, supporting law enforcement and first responders, conserving Florida’s natural resources, promoting workforce development, expanding healthcare innovation, and preserving healthy reserves to ensure Florida remains prepared for future challenges.

The Fiscal Year 2026–27 Budget represents the successful completion of eight years of conservative leadership that strengthened Florida’s finances, expanded opportunity, protected taxpayers, and positioned the state for continued prosperity for generations to come.

Check here to read the Fiscal Year 2026–27 Budget Highlights from Governor DeSantis. Other funding priorities that were celebrated include:

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

• $1.56 billion to provide salary increases for teachers and other instructional personnel, an increase of $200 million over FY 2025-2026
• $1.65 billion for early childhood education, including $431 million for Voluntary Prekindergarten
• $290 million for the Safe Schools Allocation
• $15.4 million to support civics engagement programs, including $7 million for the Florida Civics Seal of Excellence Program

For colleges and universities, the Fiscal Year 2026-27 Budget recommends:

• $1.8 billion for the Florida College System
• $3.9 billion for the State University System
• $158.6 million for Florida’s four Historically Black Colleges and Universities

The FY 2026-27 Budget continues this progress by investing $732 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
• $473.5 million in operational funding for Florida’s Career and Technical Education (CTE) 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

To support Florida’s transportation network and infrastructure, the Fiscal Year 2026-27 Budget invests:

• $14.4 billion for the state transportation work program to construct and maintain Florida’s transportation network
• $4.9 billion for highway construction and maintenance to include 181 new lane miles, and $1.4 billion to resurface 2,622 lane miles
• $155.5 million in seaport infrastructure improvements to ensure Florida’s ports continue to have capacity while the rest of the nation struggles from supply chain backups at seaports, and $374.7 million for aviation improvements

To help create new jobs and support business development throughout the state, the FY 2026-27 Budget invests:

• $40 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 FY 2026-27 Budget continues to provide our rural communities with the resources they need to thrive. This includes:

• $27 million for the Rural Infrastructure Fund to support local infrastructure projects that help attract jobs
• $81.8 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 FY 2026-27 Budget includes:

• $165.7 million for the State Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP) program
• $70.8 million for the State Apartment Incentive Loan (SAIL) program
• $50 million for the Hometown Heroes Housing program to provide down payment and closing cost assistance for hard-working Floridian heroes, including law enforcement officers, firefighters, educators, healthcare professionals, childcare employees, and active military or veterans

To support Florida’s law enforcement and military communities, the Fiscal Year 2026-27 Budget includes:

• A continued, steadfast commitment to Florida’s law enforcement who put their lives on the line every day for Floridians by including $19.8 million in pay increases for sworn state law enforcement officers
• $20 million for the sixth 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
• A $2.5 million pay increase for state firefighters
• $52 million to support National Guard facilities and guardsmen seeking higher education degrees
• $15 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
• $1.5 million for the Defense Reinvestment Grant Program, which provides funding for infrastructure projects that make a positive impact on the military value of installations within the state
• $6 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

To continue protecting Florida’s water quality and supply, the Budget includes $396 million for targeted water quality improvements to achieve significant, meaningful, and measurable nutrient reductions in key waterbodies. This includes:

• $301 million for local water projects to construct, upgrade, or expand wastewater facilities, including septic to sewer conversions, stormwater management projects, and agricultural nutrient reduction projects
• $45 million is provided for the priority areas of the Indian River Lagoon and Biscayne Bay
• $20 million to accelerate projects to meet scientific nutrient reduction goals, called Total Maximum Daily Loads
• $30 million for water quality improvement projects through the Water Management Districts

To support mental health resiliency and those suffering from substance abuse, the Fiscal Year 2026-27 Budget recommends:

• More than $73 million for behavioral health services, including support for forensic bed capacity and operations of the state mental health treatment facilities
• More than $164.6 million from the nationwide Opioid Settlement Agreement to continue support for the Office of Opioid Recovery. Florida is using opioid settlement funds to expand life-saving treatment, prevention, and recovery services statewide, helping communities fight addiction, support families, and reduce opioid-related deaths
• $166 million to sustain and expand opioid recovery across the state

To support important cancer research, the Fiscal Year 2026-27 Budget includes:

• $127.5 million for the Casey DeSantis Cancer Research Program, which supports cancer research, clinical trials, and efforts to improve patient cancer care through Florida’s National Cancer Institute (NCI) designated cancer centers
• $70 million for the Florida Cancer Innovation Fund, including a $10 million increase, to help researchers develop and advance new cancer treatments and technologies
• $30 million to support the Cancer Connect Collaborative Research Incubator, which is initially focused on accelerating research and improving outcomes for children with cancer

To support Florida’s seniors, the Fiscal Year 2026-27 Budget includes:

• An increase of $3 million, for a total of $73.1 million to serve additional seniors as part of the Alzheimer’s Disease Initiative
• An additional $7.5 million, for a total of $131 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

The post Governor DeSantis Says New Florida Budget Caps Years of Conservative Leadership appeared first on West Orlando News.

Source: West Orlando News

Published: 2026-08-03 01:14:00

Read full article ↗