Governor Ron DeSantis has introduced his proposed budget for Florida’s 2026–27 fiscal year, named the Floridians First Budget. The plan totals $117.4 billion and includes $16.75 billion in reserves and a $250 million allocation toward debt reduction.
According to Governor DeSantis, “Since I became governor, we have run budget surpluses, reduced the state’s legacy debt by more than 50%, and enacted record tax relief. Today I announced the ‘Floridians First’ Budget, which will keep Florida on the course of fiscal responsibility and delivers on the priorities that have made Florida the greatest state in America.”
The proposal continues a focus on fiscal discipline by setting aside an additional $250 million for recurring accelerated debt paydown. This move is expected to put Florida on track to retire over half of its tax-supported debt during the upcoming fiscal year. The Budget Stabilization Fund has grown from $1.5 billion at the start of DeSantis’s tenure to its constitutional maximum of $5 billion.
Since taking office, Governor DeSantis reports delivering nearly $9.7 billion in tax relief to families and businesses across Florida. Notably, this includes a full repeal of the commercial rent tax, which is estimated to save small businesses about $2.7 billion annually.
Permanent annual sales tax holidays now cover back-to-school items and disaster preparedness supplies, with new permanent exemptions for baby products, diapers, sunscreen, insect repellent, and admissions to state parks. Temporary sales tax holidays have also been authorized for recreational activities and skilled worker tools as well as certain home improvement goods.
The budget recommends another Second Amendment Sales Tax Holiday from September 7 through December 31, 2026. This expanded holiday will include additional items such as decoys and increase eligible price limits for fishing bait and tackle; it is projected to save Floridians around $35 million next year.
To address property taxes statewide, the budget sets aside $300 million to ensure any relief framework is implemented stably across all counties.
The proposal also seeks new safeguards against local environmental, social, and governance (ESG) taxes and policies related to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), aiming to prevent public funds from being used for DEI mandates at the local level.
Florida’s government workforce remains lean compared with other large states. The proposed budget would eliminate 354 positions following agency reviews and efficiency efforts; net reductions since DeSantis took office total nearly 1,000 positions despite a population growth of over 10 percent.
Education funding remains a central priority in this budget plan. It proposes a record $30.6 billion investment in K-12 public schools with per-student spending rising by $279 to reach an all-time high of $9,406 per student. Nearly 476,000 students are projected to participate in school choice programs such as the Family Empowerment Scholarship.
For higher education institutions—where Florida has ranked first nationally for nearly ten years—the governor’s proposal aims to maintain affordable tuition while continuing investments intended to preserve top rankings.
Workforce education receives an allocation of $800 million under this plan as part of ongoing efforts toward making Florida “the best state in the nation for workforce education by the year 2030.” Since 2019 more than $12 billion has been invested in these programs statewide.
Infrastructure spending is another focus area: transportation networks receive targeted investments designed to support economic growth as Florida continues its rapid population increase—growth that has contributed significantly toward making it one of the largest economies globally.
Rural communities are set for continued support through various resource allocations intended to foster economic development outside urban centers.
Housing affordability initiatives are included with funding directed at supporting workforce housing so that workers can live near their jobs amid rising demand brought by population growth.
Law enforcement and military personnel are recognized within the proposal through specific funding aimed at supporting these communities’ needs as they work on issues including illegal immigration enforcement within state borders.
Environmental protection features prominently: Everglades restoration receives recommended funding totaling nearly $1.4 billion this cycle alone—bringing total investments during DeSantis’s tenure close to $9.5 billion—with significant sums earmarked specifically for projects like CERP (Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan) alongside water quality improvements elsewhere across Florida’s diverse ecosystems.
Other environmental measures include allocations for springs restoration ($50 million), combating harmful algal blooms ($65 million), alternative water supply grants ($60 million), conservation land management ($70 million), beach nourishment ($75 million), rural lands protection ($200 million), citrus industry support (over $19 million), oyster reef restoration ($25 million), reforestation efforts ($4 million), wildfire suppression (over $114 million), manatee care (over $12 million), among others—all aimed at preserving natural resources critical both economically and ecologically.
Health-related spending encompasses mental health services expansion; increased cancer research funding; improved food safety testing; child welfare enhancements including adoption subsidies; senior citizen supports; expanded disability services; capital improvements at veterans’ nursing homes; among other initiatives targeting vulnerable populations throughout Florida.
