Budget disagreement will extend post-session for at least a week

The Florida Legislature will not vote on a budget for at least another 10 days, as leaders of each chamber say they’re still working on a deal.

The legislative session is set to end Friday but, without agreement on the only bill lawmakers must pass, they will have to come back to Tallahassee before July 1 to fund the government for the next fiscal year.

“We continue to have productive conversations with the House. We’re putting together a framework for a budget, and I’m optimistic that we’ll have more news to share very soon,” Senate President Ben Albritton told senators Thursday morning, adding that they need not plan on being in Tallahassee next week.

The two chambers started about $4.4 billion apart on total spending, reflecting different philosophies on tax cuts.

The initial House proposal targeted permanent sales tax cuts, while the initial Senate proposal emphasized sales tax cuts on inexpensive clothing and shoes plus tax holidays and a study on future property tax relief. Gov. Ron DeSantis has his own ideas, preferring a massive property tax rebate ahead of elimination of the tax through a ballot measure next year.

“Obviously, today is Day 59; as we get towards the end of the 60 days, we are still in conversations with the Senate,” House Speaker Daniel Perez told lawmakers, adding that they do not need to be in town next week.

Perez said the House will debate legislation Thursday and Friday as the remaining bills go back and forth in negotiations with the Senate.

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