TALHASSEE, Fla. (WFLA) — The end of Florida’s 2025 legislative conference may ultimately exist, but it’s not without another extension.
“When everything is said and done on the 16th, I think there’s a balanced budget that our members are proud of,” said Senate President Ben Albritton.
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House and Senate members returned to the floor on Thursday to extend the budget deadline for a third time.
Leaders say they are moving forward, but lawmakers have yet to get the budget.
“We don’t have the information. We don’t know what the budget will look like,” said D-Tampa State Rep. Dianne Hart.
Budget cuts are expected, but there is still no clearer where those cuts will fall.
“It’s a sad place. I know you can’t actually talk to constituents about your budget because you don’t know what’s on your budget,” Hart said.
This is the first time that lawmakers have spoken publicly since returning to Tallahassee, Senate Speaker Albritton and House Speaker Danny Perez.
“We don’t have the final product yet, but we both have the same goal,” Perez said.
According to both leaders, the goal of this year’s budget is to provide Floridians with long-term stability and repeated relief.
“We are making decisions today that will be extremely useful in the future,” Albritton said.
Albritton highlighted tax holidays like hurricane preparations back to school.
“What we’re trying to do is stop it from happening in the future. The only way you can do is tie up some of your savings,” Perez said.
It’s still a waiting game, and from now on it’s up to your budget chair to finish work.
Lawmakers are expected to return the week of June 16, with 90% saying that Senate leaders are positive if the budget passes on time.
“It’s a bumpy road and we believe it’s better for that,” Albritton said.
