TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WFLA) — The state’s legislative session stretched 45 days previous its 60-day unique deadline, making it one of many longest in historical past.
Political standoffs between the governor and Republican leaders had been a primary storyline over the previous few months, and now with a price range lastly handed, all eyes are on Gov. Ron DeSantis as he decides what’s going to make the ultimate minimize.
DeSantis now heads again to Tallahassee to assessment the state’s price range, and vetoes are anticipated.
“We’ve got lower than two weeks with lots of stuff on our desk,” DeSantis stated.
The governor is blaming Home management for dragging the 2025 session far previous its deadline.
“It is unlucky, however the actuality is, the Home management dragged this out for 45 days for actually no cause in any respect,” DeSantis stated. “The price range that was enacted isn’t any sort of sea change. There was no main coverage victories in it. It was one thing that would have been carried out 45 days in the past.”
Whether or not it was immigration, property insurance coverage, tax cuts, or the controversial Hope Florida scandal, the 2025 legislative session was full of capitol clashes between the Governor and Home and Senate leaders.
“We had been capable of have highs and lows,” Home Speaker Danny Perez ssaid. “We had been capable of have civil discourse. We had been capable of have a distinction of opinion. We had been capable of attain a conclusion that possibly both the Senate or the governor did not agree with. That was our purpose. Our purpose was to be a Co-equal department of presidency, to have an opinion, an opinion that issues, an opinion that is valued.”
Perez known as the session’s highs and lows a profit, and whereas Democrats agree {that a} steadiness of energy between branches was wholesome, they hope subsequent session can be totally different.
“The Home is prepared to struggle in opposition to the governor, governor is prepared to struggle in opposition to the Home, Senate and the Home are prepared to go their separate methods after they must. All of us perceive one another now. So, let’s get collectively. Let’s be grown-ups and let’s go some transformative coverage for Floridians,” stated State Rep. Fentrice Driskell, D-Tampa.
Political analyst Tara Newsom weighs in on the dialog, saying there was no actual “winner” this session.
“Everybody’s asking that query,” Newsom stated. “Who’s the winner of this session? Who got here out on high? The reality is, there was no actual winner on this legislative session as a result of the Florida voters did not get heard.”
There could also be pro-business tax cuts and reserves saved up for attainable federal funding gaps on this yr’s price range, however it did not embody a key subject for Florida voters: property insurance coverage reform.
“Till the Florida legislature listens to Florida voters, meets the second, tackles property tax, tackles house insurance coverage, protects our surroundings, which is a part of our trade. I believe Florida voters are going to suppose this was a lose-lose,” Newsom stated. “Regardless that it went to 105 days, they did not get very a lot out of that prolonged legislative time period.”
The query that continues to be is whether or not these key pressure factors will carry into subsequent session and which points will survive the swipe of the Governor’s veto pen?
