House and Senate Pass Proposed Budgets for Next Fiscal Year

The Florida Senate and House approved their proposed budgets for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2019. The Senate's spending plan totals $90.3 billion and is about $400 million larger than the House's $89.9 billion proposal. 

The House and Senate will now begin the process of resolving differences between the two chambers' proposed budgets before the end of the legislative session. Notable differences in the Senate and House budget plans include amounts allocated for school funding, mental health, health care, affordable housing and addressing environmental needs. Also of concern is funding for Hurricane Michael recovery and the federal government's failure to provide anticipated relief.