TALHASSEE, Fla. – June 30, 2025 – Gov. Ron DeSantis on Monday signed Florida’s 2025-2026 state budget, promoting it as an almost perfect match with the original proposal, and said it would strengthen the state’s commitment to financial strength, educational leadership and public safety.
The final budget is shy of just $10 million from Desantis’ original recommendations, and includes more than $2 billion in tax credits, major investments in K-12 and higher education, record funds for water quality, and a major boost to transportation and law enforcement.
“This is a strong and responsible budget that reflects our commitment to fiscal discipline and target investment,” Desantis said in a statement. “Since taking office in 2019, I tripled the Florida Rainy Day Fund, and now it’s the largest in the constitution.”
Major tax cuts
The newly signed budget offers a tax cut slate that Desantis is designed to reduce the burden on both families and businesses. These include the sales tax holiday that returns to schools every August, a continuous exemption from hurricane preparation items, the elimination of business rent taxes, and the new “second revised sales tax leave” from September 8th until the end of the year.
Desantis, combined with previous efforts, says his administration has brought nearly $10 billion in tax easing for Floridians since 2019.
Debt reduction and long-term financial planning
The governor also highlighted his budget commitment to paying back the state’s debts. According to Desantis, Florida will pay off almost 50% of all historic state debt by the end of the fiscal year, with future budgets to include at least $250 million a year in accelerated debt service.
Historic Education Funding
In K-12 education, DeSantis pointed out what he described as a “record-setting” investment, including the highest per capita funding in state history, and $1.36 billion allocated to an increase in salary for full-time teachers with at least two years of experience. The budget also allocates $7.4 million to civic education programs designed to promote citizen understanding and constitutional principles.
In higher education, the budget is fully funding the state’s bright futures scholarship program at $637.7 million. This has won DeSantis as the key to Florida maintaining its No. 1 ranking for affordability and quality in higher education.
Infrastructure and environment
Transport infrastructure was headed statewide by $15.1 billion in transportation, boosting $15.1 billion. Desantis said the investment is expected to bring four times the profits on economic benefits.
Environmental spending was also a top priority. The budget will allocate $1.4 billion to water quality initiatives and repairs to the Everglades. It will increase its second-phase investment in the region to $4.6 billion, far exceeding its $3.5 billion target Desantis set.
Public Safety and First Responders
Law enforcement and first responders also received great support. The budget includes pay raises for state law enforcement officers and firefighters, and will continue with a $5,000 recruitment bonus for law enforcement. This is the fourth year program.
“This budget is about keeping Florida safe and strong and moving forward,” DeSantis said.
With the budget now signed, Florida’s new fiscal year begins on July 1st.
