Florida budget

Gov. Ron DeSantis' vetoes cut millions of dollars in funds for more than 600 organizations in Florida.

After vetoes wiped out funding for joint legislative offices, Florida's Senate President and House Speaker quickly assured employees that they were working to ensure workers were protected.

The 16 pages of cuts ranged from as little as $10,500 for a county public works generator to $80 million for group insurance for the state college system.

Gov. Ron DeSantis announced his budget on Tuesday, December 5 for the new fiscal year, with $15.1 billion dollars going to the state’s public schools.

Dubbed the “Focus on Florida’s Future Budget,” the proposal asks lawmakers for an additional $5 million to continue a controversial program that has transported undocumented immigrants to Massachusetts and California and to set aside $1 million for potential legal expenses related to Florida State University being left out of the four-team college football playoffs.

A legislative panel Friday approved money for more than 230 local projects and programs across the state, after receiving a detailed analysis of Florida’s financial picture from a top economist.

Florida lawmakers Friday could approve disbursing $175 million across the state for more than 230 local projects and programs, including a few similar to spending proposals that Gov. Ron DeSantis vetoed in June.

The governor makes big cuts to South Florida programs in the most recent budget. Plus, a local radio station focuses on serving the indigenous immigrant population. And the Summer Shorts Festival returns with a series of plays — one of them written by Lin-Manuel Miranda.

Florida TaxWatch listed 166 “turkeys” included in the newly passed state budget. The nonprofit says Gov. Ron DeSantis should take a hard look at each item.

Teachers' minimum salary will increase to at least $47,000 once DeSantis approves the budget.

Instead of shifting away money from 12 districts that required masks, legislation would set up a $200 million reserve fund from which the 55 counties that followed state directives would be rewarded.

The Florida Hospital Association said the House budget is harsher on hospitals, but said both chambers are proposing to eliminate funds for facilities that treat large numbers of Medicaid patients.