Florida lawmakers on Tuesday filed the state’s general appropriations act for the 2026-27 fiscal year, advancing a $114.5 billion spending plan that legislative leaders said reduces overall spending while increasing funding for schools, health care, and transportation.
The filing commences the constitutionally required 72-hour cooling-off period before lawmakers can take a final vote on the budget. The vote is scheduled for Friday, May 29. If approved, the spending plan would take effect July 1.
“Floridians are counting on us to maximize the use of their tax dollars by responsibly investing in key functions of government in a meaningful way, chief among these are education, health care, public safety, as well as our environmental, transportation, and clean water infrastructure. Through this budget, we are holding the line on spending, living within our means and striking the right balance between spending and saving,” said Senate President Ben Albritton.
The proposed budget is lower than the current fiscal year’s $115.1 billion budget and includes more than $30 billion for public schools and K-12 scholarships, an increase of $736 million over the current year. Senate budget leaders said the plan raises per-student funding by $150 and increases the Base Student Allocation by $85.
It also increases the state’s annual investment in teacher pay to more than $1.55 billion, with a focus on veteran teachers.
The plan funds Family Empowerment Scholarships for nearly 500,000 students, continuing Florida’s expansion of school choice programs, while including targeted pay raises for corrections officers and restores a retirement cost-of-living adjustment for special risk employees, including firefighters, law enforcement officers and corrections personnel.
Environmental spending comprises funding for Everglades restoration, the Everglades Agricultural Area Reservoir, clean water infrastructure, citrus recovery and land preservation efforts tied to the Florida Wildlife Corridor.
The budget also fully funds affordable housing trust funds and includes $50 million for the Hometown Heroes housing assistance program. Health care spending focuses on rural access, mental health services, services for seniors and people with disabilities, Alzheimer’s support, cancer research and foster families.
