TALHASSEE, Fla. (WFLA) – Most lawmakers packed their bags and went home last week, but budget chairs are being blocked in Tallahassee to finish work as they don’t have a final budget.
More than a month has passed since the original budget deadline on May 2nd, and frustration over the extension process remains. The governor admitted the delay Monday at a press conference in Crawfordville.
“Everyone is just waiting in the state capital. It seems they know the Vatican. There is white smoke. When is the budget? Do you have a budget?” Desantis removed.
State senators hope that negotiations will close soon.
“We’re still hot and we’re still heavy at the Capitol, where we’re trying to get it done,” said Sen. Corey Simon (R-Tallahassee).
House members have expressed concern about where budget cuts will decrease.
“If we were to save money, that was the suggestion that we wouldn’t spend all the money we have here in Florida,” said Rep. Dianne Hart (D-Tampa). “We need some cuts and where are they? None of us knows.”
But leadership in the House and Senate defended the slow-moving budget process and said discipline was needed to stop repeated spending given unpredictable economic pressures on the national stage.
“What I’m proposing is this a very balanced approach,” said Senate Speaker Ben Albritton (R-Wauchula). “Will that be perfect? No, ma’am. No one can do it. No one can do it. I can’t. No one can predict the future in a perfect way outside of Almighty God.”
“I think Congress definitely achieved their goals. It was to stop spending repeatedly in a financially conservative way and move forward,” said House Speaker Danny Perez (R-Miami).
The governor has criticized state leaders for budget delays, but he has also touted cuts in statewide spending.
“When this budget is over, we’ll be doing even less next year, but hopefully people can do what they really want from us,” DeSantis said.
There is talk of the state capitol that budget chairs may have final products that lawmakers vote for this week, but for now the June 18 deadline remains.
