DeSantis looks forward to fiscally conservative budget as legislature adjourns

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Gov. Ron DeSantis spoke after the Florida Legislature concluded its 2024 Legislative Session Friday, congratulating lawmakers on another productive 60 days.

Major priorities of the legislature this year ranged from topics like health care workforce growth, infrastructure, conservation, agriculture, retail theft, homeless encampments and more.

DeSantis said while he will be “trimming” the lawmakers’ approved budget, net spending per capita will decrease.

“Some of the investments […] These are monumental investments,” DeSantis said.

The governor stressed other states are running “massive deficits” and thanked lawmakers for passing a fiscally responsible budget again for 2024-2025.

“We have so much in reserve,” he said. “We’re excited about that.”

On top of the budget, DeSantis celebrated legislature-approved bills targeting retail theft and homeless encampments.

He touched on Florida’s insurance problems as well, saying that reforms enacted over the years will help quell frivolous litigation.

Friday marked the legislature’s “sine die” adjournment, which occurred after 2 p.m.

Shortly before, lawmakers approved the upcoming fiscal year’s budget, totaling over $117 billion. The governor said on Friday the final product will be under $117 billion.

From here, legislative leadership will be sending a slew of bills over the next days and weeks to DeSantis’ desk.

The Florida Constitution provides that each time a bill is put in his possession – or “presented” to him officially – he will have 15 days to sign or veto the bill, now that the legislature has adjourned.