Budget Negotiations Continue in Tallahassee

TALLAHASSEE — Florida House and Senate budget leaders are working quickly to finalize a new state spending plan, as Governor Ron DeSantis advocates for property-tax rebates. Senate Appropriations Chairman Ed Hooper and House Budget Chairman Lawrence McClure are negotiating budget details, including $25 million for the Job Growth Grant Fund. However, discussions about property-tax rebates have not yet involved legislative leaders, despite DeSantis's push for a rebate proposal. Meanwhile, a joint framework for a $2.25 billion tax package has been released, focusing on tax cuts and exemptions, but it does not include property-tax rebates. Lawmakers aim to complete the budget this week, ahead of the July 1 start of the fiscal yea