The Republican-led Florida House and Senate released competing budget proposals on Friday. The budgets differ from each other and also differ in many ways from Gov. Ron DeSantis’ proposals. The House’s total budget is $89.9 billion, while the Senate’s total is $90.3 billion. Both proposals are higher overall than current state government spending levels.
Debates will begin this week as committees in both chambers take up the budget. The Associated Press reports:
On education, the Senate wants an overall $1.1 billion increase for public schools, while the House increase is $600 million. DeSantis’ plan is closer to the House figure. The Senate amount also includes about $600 million that local school districts could use for teacher raises or other needs.
Senate President Bill Galvano said it’s a tight budget year, particularly with plans to spend an additional $219.9 billion on Hurricane Michael recovery needs that brings the total state commitment to $1.8 billion since the storm hit the Panhandle on Oct. 10.
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