Latest news with #LegislativeSession
Associated Press
5 days ago
- Business
- Associated Press
Florida budget puts millions in reserves as economic uncertainty brews. Here's a look by the numbers
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — On the 105th day of what was supposed to be a 60-day session, Florida lawmakers gave final approval to a leaner state budget totaling $115.1 billion, marking the end of a lawmaking season that was largely defined by inter-party clashes in the Republican-dominated capitol. The new budget lacks some of the top priorities of legislative leaders and Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis, coming in $500 million less than the governor's proposed budget, and $3.5 billion less than last year's adjusted total, a goal of conservative lawmakers focused on scaling back state spending amid concerns of a broader economic slowdown. The state's legislative leaders had debated for weeks over competing tax cut proposals, initially pushing for broad sales tax relief for everyday Floridians before settling on a package that mostly benefits businesses. 'I don't view this on day 105 as a failure,' Republican Senate President Ben Albritton said. 'We dug in deep.' The budget now goes to the governor, who has the power to veto individual line items and is known for slashing into lawmakers' spending plans. Here's a look at Florida's budget by the numbers. A $115 billion budget While political and tropical storms loom on the horizon, Florida's legislative leaders have largely downplayed concerns about how President Donald Trump's aggressive and unpredictable economic policies could impact the state's budget, even as he pledges to phase out the federal agency that responds to hurricanes and other disasters that batter the state. But lawmakers have taken steps to shore up reserves, as forecasters warn of a busier than usual hurricane season and as economists fret over Trump's trade wars and a sweeping proposal to cut federal taxes and spending. Lawmakers crafted a compromise budget and tax cut package, which would save taxpayers and reduce state revenues by an estimated $1.3 billion a year, according to legislative staff. They've also taken steps to set aside an additional $750 million a year into a reserve fund for emergencies, pending voter approval. Republican House Speaker Daniel Perez said building up the reserves is about 'being prepared for the unexpected.' 'None of us know what the future holds,' Perez said. $750 million a year The legislature advanced a proposed constitutional amendment that would set aside $750 million a year — or an amount equal to up to 25% of the state's general revenue, whichever is less — into a reserve fund that lawmakers could only use for emergencies. The measure has to be approved by 60% of Florida voters to be implemented. The last time state officials tapped into the budget stabilization fund was in 2008, as the Great Recession blasted through Florida's tourism and development-heavy economy. Boosting the reserves is a prudent move, said Republican House Budget Committee Chair Lawrence McClure, and another way to cut state spending. 'We are doing this so that are we are truly prepared for a break the glass situation,' McClure said. Democrats have called the reserve fund a 'lock box' and said lawmakers should keep the funds on hand to support needy Floridians, at a time when many residents are priced out of their homes and schools and prisons are struggling to keep staff on the job. Tax breaks for families and corporate interests The Florida House had initially called for cutting the state's overall sales tax from 6% to 5.25%. A competing offer in the state Senate called for a tax break on clothing purchases under $75. Instead, the largest tax break lawmakers approved was for companies, by eliminating the state's business rent tax. They also approved tax cuts for a slate of special interests including casinos, airlines and NASCAR. Florida residents will get sales tax relief on hurricane supplies, sunscreen and bug spray, and a tax exemption on clothes and school supplies each August. $4 billion for school vouchers State lawmakers are setting aside $4 billion for scholarships for private and religious education, two years after the Legislature expanded the state's voucher program to make all K-12 students eligible, regardless of family income. Since then, the state's indirect spending on private school tuition and homeschooling costs has risen dramatically, which critics warn is burning through the state's budget. More than 2,200 state jobs eliminated Part of state lawmakers' push to cut back on what they see as government bloat is eliminating 2,238 vacant positions across state agencies from the department of health to the department of children and families. Many of the positions being cut have been vacant for three months. While the number of state jobs shrinks, state workers will receive an across-the-board 2% raise, while state law enforcement officers and firefighters will get a 10% total raise, and a 15% raise if they've been on the job for at least five years. $3 million for immigration detention at local jails The Legislature is also setting aside $3 million in grants for local jails that have contracted with the federal government to support immigration enforcement efforts. Florida has rushed to help the Trump administration carry out its mass deportation agenda and now leads the country in the number of local and state agencies signing on with the federal government to deputize their officers to carry out immigration enforcement. ___ Kate Payne is a corps member for The Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues.
Yahoo
14-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
State Rep. Trent Ashby announces reelection campaign
LUFKIN, Texas (KETK) — State Rep. Trent Ashby, R-Lufkin announced on Friday that he is running for reelection in House District 9 with endorsements from conservative leaders and President Donald J. Trump. Rep. Moran fights in support of military operations center According to a release, Ashby was sworn in as a member of the Texas House of Representatives in 2013 and is a member of the committees on Public Education and Natural Resources. Ashby has been involved in several actions with the 89th Legislative Session and in committees. 'Our rural communities deserve the same opportunities and quality of life as anywhere else in Texas,' Ashby said. 'That's why I've fought to close the gap in areas like education, healthcare, water, infrastructure and emergency preparedness, and I'm proud of the progress we made this session.' Ashby is a current representative of six counties including Angelina, Houston, Polk, San Augustine, Trinity and Tyler. Mobile clinic to provide free skin cancer screenings for Tyler residents 'It's been the honor of my life to represent the people of Deep East Texas,' Ashby said. 'We've delivered real results that matter to our communities, and I'm running for reelection to build on that progress and ensure our region continues to have a strong conservative voice in Austin.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick holds press conference following legislative session
Waco, TX (FOX 44) — Texas Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick held a post-session press conference at the Waco Regional Airport on Tuesday afternoon. The press conference comes after the 89th Legislative Session, which approved major bills including a THC ban. Lt. Gov. Patrick said THC sales impact Texas schools due to smoke shops opening near school campuses and selling products with dangerous amounts of the chemical. Alongside THC guideline changes, Patrick highlights the new school bill and how it will positively impact schools and teachers across Texas. 'The most important person is the teacher,' Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick said. 'And we must raise their salaries, that I've been doing since I became lieutenant governor, to where we get the best and the brightest into our schools and keep the best teachers we have today.' Governor Greg Abbott has until June 22 to sign or veto. If no action is taken, it will become law automatically. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
31-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
With budget approved, Mississippi lawmakers look ahead to 2026 session
JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV) – Mississippi lawmakers passed a budget for Fiscal Year 2026 during a special session. Their eyes are now on the 2026 Legislative Session. During the special session, lawmakers passed more than 100 bills for the state's $7 billion budget. Before the session started, Lt. Governor Delbert Hosemann (R-Miss.) said House and Senate leadership had an agreement with Gov. Tate Reeves (R-Miss.) about what needed to be done. 'The House didn't do that. You know, three of those bills were off the wall and kill one. They're supposed to pass. So it's just, it was difficult. And we had to get the governor back involved in all this, so we didn't have another special session,' said Hosemann. House Speaker Jason White (R-Miss.) said the House got close to completing their work in one day. Mississippi lawmakers pass $7 billion budget in special session 'We passed all the bills. We were done with them. We saw no reason not to go home. Our folks have been here and worked long and hard. I won't apologize, and I won't check with the Senate on what the House may or may not have permission to do,' White stated. Both chambers will turn their attention to the 2026 Legislative session. Some of the priorities will include school choice and revitalizing the capital city. 'Water and sewer for our capital city. We want to be part of the solution, not part of the problem or standing in the way, but be part of the solution. If there's a way that the state can play a role there, we want to be a willing partner. We're excited about new leadership for the City of Jackson,' said White. Another priority for the Senate will be teacher pay raises. 'You will see us propose a significant increase on our teacher pay. Well, how did it how did we get to where we are? We had great teachers teaching good people,' said Hosemann. The Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS) of Mississippi is still on the table. White said one of the priorities for the House is dedicated funding for the system. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
31-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Spring session entering final day as budget deadline looms
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WGN) – We're finally getting a look at state lawmakers' $55 billion budget plan with just over 24 hours left in the legislative session. On the second to last day of session, the three most powerful men in Springfield met behind closed doors. Talks between Senate President Don Harmon (D-Oak Park), House Speaker Emanuel 'Chris' Welch (D-Westchester), and Gov. JB Pritzker (D-Illinois) led to the release of a 3,300-page appropriations bill that adds $1 billion in new revenue, though it holds the line on individual and corporate income taxes. Illinois budget battle: What Chicago needs from Springfield 'We've got $1 billion in revenue for this budget in the area of tax collection, for those who have not paid their taxes as well as those who've made choices in terms of gaming and other – tobacco use and gaming,' Sen. Elgie Sims (D-Chicago) said. Despite having major submajorities in both chambers, Democrats wrestled with a bleak financial picture. Revenue growth did not meet estimates used to draft Pritzker's budget blueprint. 'This budget includes significant investments in our priorities, education, health care, protecting our most vulnerable,' Sims said. Democrats are asking their members to pass the $55 billion spending plan despite uncertainty about federal funding. Lawmakers, groups rally against Medicaid cuts as state budget deadline looms 'It's a tough year. We know instability in Washington, D.C. makes it worse,' Rep. Kam Buckner (D-Chicago) said. 'We know there are some real pressures here in the state in trying to bring forth a budget that meets the needs of everybody was a tough one. So this was tough. This has been the toughest budget year since I've been here.' After months of warning from Chicagoland transit that bus and train service might be cut without a state bailout, lawmakers are working to hike the cost of tolls and rideshares to help the system. READ: Illinois has a $770M hole in the transit budget that could leave commuters stranded There's also legislation moving to create a new oversight agency. 'I want to remind folks that when we're talking about CTA, Metra, Pace, this is a statewide transit overhaul,' Buckner said. House Republican Leader Tony McCombie (R-Savanna) suggests some of her members might support the transit reforms. 'We saw the governance piece and I think we could probably get some bipartisan support on that,' McCombie said. 'The funding source is what kind of scares all of us, because what is that going to look like?' Read more: Latest Chicago news and headlines Democrats expect to meet the budget deadline, but the transit legislation might be broken up into pieces or may not even pass at all on Saturday. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
