Manny Diaz, Jr. Commissioner | Florida Department of Education
Governor Ron DeSantis has announced his proposed budget for Florida’s 2026–27 fiscal year, titled the “Floridians First Budget.” The total budget is $117.4 billion and includes $16.75 billion in reserves as well as $250 million earmarked for debt reduction. According to the governor, this proposal continues a trend of fiscal discipline that has marked his tenure.
“Since I became governor, we have run budget surpluses, reduced the state’s legacy debt by more than 50%, and enacted record tax relief,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “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 plan sets aside $300 million to support policy considerations regarding property tax relief, with a focus on ensuring stability across all 67 counties in the state. It also continues measures to prevent local governments from adopting environmental, social, and governance (ESG) investing mandates or diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) financial policies using public funds.
Workforce recruitment and retention are also priorities in this year’s proposal. The governor recommends adjustments to pay structures while eliminating 354 positions through agency reviews—bringing total net position reductions during his administration to nearly 1,000 even as Florida’s population grew by over ten percent.
Education funding receives a significant increase under the new budget. The K-12 public school system would see a historic $30.6 billion investment, raising per-student spending to $9,406—an increase of $279 from last year. Nearly 476,000 students are expected to participate in school choice programs such as the Family Empowerment Scholarship.
For higher education institutions, continued support is proposed with an emphasis on keeping tuition affordable and maintaining Florida’s status as a leader among U.S. states in educational rankings.
In workforce education—a sector targeted for growth since 2019—the budget provides $800 million for programs designed to help Floridians access training for high-demand jobs.
Economic development remains central to the proposal as well. The plan outlines investments in transportation infrastructure and business development initiatives intended to accommodate ongoing population growth and support job creation statewide.
The environment features prominently with a recommended $1.4 billion allocated for Everglades restoration and water quality improvements; this brings total investment during Governor DeSantis’ second term to $6 billion for these efforts. Of those funds, $681 million is designated specifically for components of the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP), including work aimed at reducing harmful discharges into major estuaries.
Other environmental measures include funding for beach nourishment ($75 million), springs restoration ($50 million), combating algal blooms ($65 million), conservation lands ($150 million), protection of agricultural lands ($200 million annually), citrus research ($19 million), oyster reef restoration ($25 million), wildfire suppression activities (over $114 million), replanting forests affected by natural disasters ($4 million), manatee care (over $12 million), and seagrass restoration projects.
Health-related provisions within the proposed budget aim at supporting mental health resiliency initiatives and substance abuse treatment; expanding cancer research; improving testing for contaminants in food and household items; increasing funding for child welfare agencies; boosting support for foster families; enhancing services for seniors; increasing resources available through disability waivers; and supporting veterans’ nursing home facilities with additional capital improvement funds.
The announcement highlighted permanent sales tax holidays covering back-to-school items, disaster preparedness supplies, baby products, sunscreen/insect repellent, park admissions—and expanded temporary holidays covering recreation equipment and skilled worker tools—as part of an overall effort that has delivered nearly $9.7 billion in tax relief since DeSantis took office.
A Second Amendment Sales Tax Holiday is also recommended again following its launch in 2025—with expansions planned if enacted—to provide estimated savings of $35 million next year.
Governor DeSantis emphasized that efficient government operations continue under his administration: “We must always keep Floridians first.”
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