budget

Florida lawmakers next week will start the 2026 legislative session. With hundreds of bills filed for consideration during the session.

Miami’s mayoralty is officially a nonpartisan position. And as the saying goes, there are no Democratic or Republican potholes; they are all of local concern.

Specifically, DeSantis’ proposed budget eliminates a decade-old law that spells out how $127 million should be distributed to four National Cancer Institute-designated facilities.

Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava countered Blaise Ingoglia's claims, saying “Miami‑Dade is one of the most transparent and fiscally responsible local administrations in the nation.”

Speaking to reporters at a news conference in Miami, the Florida CFO said the city's budget had increased by more than $358 million — a 44.29% jump — since Fiscal Year 2019-2020. Its current budget is roughly $1.2 billion.

In a stunning setback after the fiscal year began July 1, the Florida Department of Transportation cut the money it pays to maintain and operate 80 miles of track for Amtrak passenger trains, CSX freight trains and the Tri-Rail South Florida commuter service.

Miami-Dade County's first budget hearing began with a cavalcade of residents speaking out for community organizations facing funding cuts.

In an interview aired Friday on WLRN’s South Florida Roundup, Levine Cava outlined the key factors behind the shortfall, including the creation of five new state-mandated constitutional offices, inflation-related cost increases, and a sharp drop in state and federal funding.

The budget needs to be passed and then signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis by July 1, the start of the new fiscal year.

Florida’s 2024-2025 fiscal year kicks off this week with a fresh $116.5 billion budget and nearly 200 new laws.

Florida House and Senate Republican budget chiefs this week brushed aside concerns about Gov. Ron DeSantis' $114.4 billion spending plan. Lawmakers will prepare to negotiate a final budget during the legislative session that will start Jan. 9.

Miguel Gabela and Damian Pardo, new faces on the Miami City Commission, led the charge to pass a $25 million tax cut after the state said the city's original budget, passed in September, was illegal.