Florida legislators have agreed on a $114.5 billion budget for the fiscal year starting July 1, featuring 4 percent raises for police and first responders and a record $30 billion allocation for K‑12 education. the proposal now faces a 72‑hour cooling‑off period before a final vote, after which Governor Ron DeSantis could still veto line items.

4 percent pay hike for law‑enforcement and first responders

The budget earmarks a uniform 4 percent salary increase for state police, firefighters, park rangers and corrections officers, a figure that has been debated for more than a year. Corrections officers would see hourly wages rise from $22 to $24, a change Governor DeSantis highlighted during a February press conference as essential for recruiting more staff.. According to the source, this pay boost is part of a broader effort to strengthen public safety staffing ahead of projected increases in demand.

$30 billion K‑12 education investment – the largest one‑year spend

Florida’s education budget now includes roughly $30 billion for public schools, school‑choice programs and teacher bonuses, marking the highest single‑year commitment in state history. Teachers with at least a decade of service will receive additional bonuses, while the plan protects districts with falling enrollment from deep cuts, a response to emergency administrations in Union and Glades counties. The source notes that $4.5 billion will remain in the voucher formula despite Senate concerns over past mismanagement.

DeSantis’ veto history looms over the $114.5 billion plan

Governor DeSantis has already signaled he could further reduce the budget, recalling his 2022 veto of more than $3 billion and last year’s $300 million cuts. The source reports that the governor’s office will scrutinize the nearly 500‑page document, and line‑item vetoes are expected to shape the final spending plan.. This dynamic underscores the governor’s continued influence over Florida’s fiscal priorities.

Special session necessity and the 72‑hour cooling‑off rule

The budget required a second‑year special session after lawmakers failed to reach consensus during the regular session, according to the source. Distributed to legislators at 11:41 a.m. on Tuesday, the proposal triggers a constitutionally mandated 72‑hour waiting period before a vote, slated for around noon on Friday. This pause is intended to give lawmakers time to review the extensive document before casting their final votes.

Open questions: How will the Cancer Innovation Fund and rural school capital spend be finalized?

The source leaves two key details unresolved: the Cancer Innovation Fund will receive $20 million—down from the Senate’s $30 million request—and $7 million for capital improvements at private schools is now restricted to rural counties with fewer than 10,000 residents, with disbursement required by Dec. 1. Whether these compromises will hold up under the governor’s review remains uncertain.