Florida Budget Cuts
DeSantis Signs Florida's $117.6 Billion Budget, Vetoing $1.6 Billion and Citing Fiscal Responsibility
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Key Points
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The budget includes funding for the Florida State Guard, a detail highlighted at the signing ceremony.
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DeSantis approved $4 million to compensate the Groveland Four families, a civil rights-era case.
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About 1,300 government positions have been eliminated since 2019, contributing to a leaner state government.
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The budget designates $158.6 million for Florida’s four historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs).
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Total vetoes under DeSantis’ tenure exceed $10.6 billion, illustrating a broader pattern beyond the current year’s vetoes.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed a $117.6 billion budget for fiscal year 2026-27 on June 29, vetoing about $1.6 billion in spending, according to Florida Politics. It marks the fourth straight year DeSantis has cut state spending — and his eighth and final budget before leaving office. The signing took place at Hillsborough College in Tampa and takes effect July 1, 2026.
The vetoes bring DeSantis's total cuts over eight years to more than $10.6 billion, according to FOX 13 Tampa Bay. He framed the budget as proof that Florida can grow without growing government. "It's a prime example of fiscal responsibility," DeSantis said at the signing.
How a $114.5B Bill Became a $117.6B Budget
The Florida Legislature passed a $114.5 billion base budget on May 29, with the Senate voting unanimously and the House passing it 99-6, according to WLRN. But the process was rocky. The regular session ended in March without a deal, after House Speaker Daniel Perez and Senate President Ben Albritton clashed over a $1.5 billion spending gap. A special session in May finally broke the deadlock.
The final $117.6 billion figure is higher than the base bill because DeSantis added "back of the bill" spending items before applying his vetoes. Florida TaxWatch had flagged 621 "budget turkeys" — projects added without full debate — totaling $829.7 million. DeSantis said he cut "nice to have" and "inappropriate" items, according to Floridian Press.
Reserves Hit $18 Billion as State Debt Gets Cut in Half
Florida's reserves now stand at about $18 billion. The rainy-day fund is fully funded and capped at $5 billion — more than triple what it held in 2019, according to Mirage News. DeSantis said the state has paid off roughly 50% of its debt since 2019. That aggressive paydown is expected to save taxpayers $1 to $2 billion in future interest costs.
The state has also cut about 1,300 government jobs since 2019, including 354 this cycle. That makes Florida the state with the lowest number of state employees per capita, according to FOX 13 Tampa Bay. CFO Blaise Ingoglia joined DeSantis at the signing and highlighted the "budget-cutting exercise" for local governments.
Teachers and HBCUs Win Big Despite Broader Cuts
Education was a clear priority even as spending was trimmed elsewhere. The budget puts $30 billion toward K-12 education — a per-student investment of $9,338, up $150 from last year. Teacher pay gets a $1.56 billion boost, including $200 million set aside specifically for teachers with 10 or more years of experience, according to Floridian Press.
Florida's four historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) received $158.6 million for security and operations, according to HBCU Buzz. The budget also approved $4 million to compensate descendants of the Groveland Four — four Black men falsely accused of rape in 1949 and posthumously pardoned by DeSantis in 2019. It is the first direct financial compensation their families have received.
Democrats Slam 'Hoarding' as Insurance Costs Crush Floridians
Not everyone cheered. Senate Democratic Leader Lori Berman called the budget a failure on affordability. "Cutting taxes on NASCAR doesn't help single moms pay the rent," she said, according to WLRN. Democrats argued the $18 billion in reserves amounts to hoarding — while Floridians deal with some of the highest insurance premiums in the country and a deepening affordable housing crisis.
House Democratic Leader Fentrice Driskell argued Republicans "put money behind things they value" while neglecting social safety nets. The budget included $665 million for Everglades restoration, which drew praise from the Everglades Foundation, whose CEO Eric Eikenberg called the EAA Reservoir the "Crown Jewel" of state environmental efforts, according to Floridian Press. Transportation got more than $16 billion. The Florida State Guard received $3.8 million for 32 positions plus $3.6 million for operations.
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