Gov. Ron DeSantis on Monday signed Florida’s $117.6 billion budget for the 2026-27 fiscal year, approving a spending plan that he said reduces state spending for the fourth consecutive year.
The final budget comes after nearly $810 million in line-item vetoes and covers the fiscal year that begins July 1. It is the final full state budget of DeSantis’ administration.
The plan directs $30 billion to K-12 public schools, raising per-student funding to $9,338, or $150 more than the current year. It also includes $1.56 billion for salary increases for teachers and other instructional personnel, $1.65 billion for early childhood education and $290 million for school safety.
Higher education funding includes $1.8 billion for the Florida College System, $3.9 billion for the State University System and $158.6 million for Florida’s four historically Black colleges and universities. The budget also provides $732 million for workforce education programs, including nursing education, career and technical education, and apprenticeship grants.
Transportation and housing also receive significant funding. The budget includes $14.4 billion for the state transportation work program, covering highway construction, resurfacing, seaport improvements and aviation projects. It also provides $165.7 million for the State Housing Initiatives Partnership program, $70.8 million for the State Apartment Incentive Loan program and $50 million for the Hometown Heroes Housing program.
Environmental spending includes $1.2 billion for Everglades restoration and water quality projects. That total includes $665 million for Everglades restoration, $396 million for targeted water quality improvements, $150 million for Florida Forever, $64 million for beach nourishment and $425 million for the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program.
For public safety, the budget includes $19.8 million for sworn state law enforcement pay increases, $20 million for the Law Enforcement Recruitment Bonus Program and $15 million for the State Assistance for Fentanyl Eradication Program.
The spending plan also continues several tax relief measures, including permanent back-to-school and disaster preparedness tax holidays, sales tax exemptions for certain baby and toddler products, diapers, sunscreen, insect repellent and state park admissions, and a Second Amendment sales tax holiday from Sept. 1 through Dec. 31.
