Ron DeSantis says his budget decisions are coming soon

©2024 The News Service of Florida

With the state’s 2024-2025 fiscal year starting July 1, Gov. Ron DeSantis said Tuesday he will “bring (the budget) in for landing very soon.”

During an event in Fort Myers, DeSantis said many lawmakers aren’t “going to be happy with everything,” as his office considers items that he could veto in the $117.46 billion budget, which the Legislature passed on March 8.

DeSantis said the plan will include a surplus “if things were to take a turn for the worse” and will reduce debt and offer tax breaks.

“I think people will be very pleased with the final result of what we do,” DeSantis said. DeSantis signed the budget for the 2023-2024 fiscal year on June 15, 2023.

Earlier during the Fort Myers event, Senate President Kathleen Passidomo, R-Naples, pushed for the budget to be signed quickly.

Passidomo said the spending plan includes “some really important items” for Southwest Florida tied to continued rebuilding efforts after 2022’s Hurricane Ian. “So the sooner you sign it, the better for us,” Passidomo said.