(The Center Square) — The Florida House approved a $115.5 billion state budget this week that could provide appropriations for infrastructure and education, pay down debt and improve access to health care.
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According to a news release from Speaker Paul Renner, R-Palm Coast, the proposed budget, House Bill 5001, allocates $28.4 billion into PreK-12 funding, a $1.8 billion increase compared to the current year. Higher education would also receive $350 million to restore performance-based incentive funding.
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The proposed $115.5 billion budget almost meets Gov. Ron DeSantis’ budget recommendation of $114.4 billion. In total, the upcoming budget is 3.5% less than the present year’s outlay.
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The proposed budget would make significant investments towards protecting Florida’s natural resources, including beach restoration, protecting the Everglades, and water resources with an appropriation of $1.4 billion. Drinking water and wastewater revolving loan programs would be allocated $770 million, while resiliency projects and grants would receive $220 million.
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During budgetary debate on Thursday, state Rep. Lindsay Cross, D-St. Petersburg, stated that while there are a lot of good things in the budget, there needs to be more investment made into protecting Florida’s natural resources.
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“One place that we can do better… is increasing our commitment to maintaining working landscapes and agriculture,” Cross said. “Currently, we’re seeing a 66% decrease in that funding from last year.”
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The Florida KidCare program would be allocated an investment of $224 million, while $805 million would be invested into Medicaid caseloads and price level increases. Sickle cell research would receive $10 million, while $100 million would be invested into fighting the opioid epidemic.
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To retire state debt early, the budget would provide $600 million while maintaining a reserve of $12.1 billion, including $6.4 billion in unallocated General Revenue funds, $5 billion in the Budget Stabilization Fund, and $700 million for emergency preparedness.
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Resiliency projects and grants would be allocated $220 million while $250 million would be budgeted for hardening homes and condominiums against adverse weather events. The Florida Department of Transport Work Program would be funded at $14.2 billion to handle the increase in tourism to the Sunshine State.
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Lawmakers also would appropriate $7.1 billion into the justice system, including $22 million in local law enforcement support grants, $100 million into technological and capital improvements and $16.4 million in inmate wellness initiatives.
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