DeSantis signs Florida ‘Framework for Freedom’ budget, record education funding
This is a developing story.
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (FLV) – Gov. Ron DeSantis signed Florida’s “Framework for Freedom” budget into law Thursday, which provides billions of dollars in tax relief as well as record-breaking funding for the education sector.
DeSantis highlighted $2.7 billion in tax relief for Floridians and called it “the biggest tax cuts that we’ve ever done in the state of Florida.”
The governor also announced $26.8 billion in funding for K-12 schooling and education, outpacing last year’s education spending record.
DeSantis noted Florida as the state with “the second lowest debt per capita in the entire United States.”
He announced $4 billion for the “Moving Florida Forward Initiative” with the aim of “accelerating” infrastructure projects in areas with congestion due to rapid population growth.
“Some of these projects would not be done for 20 years, now we’ll accelerate them, we’ll end up doing them 13 years ahead of schedule in some instances,” DeSantis said.
The governor also outlined $1.6 billion in additional Everglades and water resource protection funding.
“You now have a lot more water flowing south to the Everglades, and to Florida Bay than anyone thought we would ever have this soon,” DeSantis said. “So we’re proud of that.”
The budget also contains $130 million in targeted pay increases for state law enforcement officers and public safety agency employees.
“Different parts of the country have slashed police spending attack law enforcement, we’ve consistently in Florida stood by people in law enforcement,” DeSantis said. “Not only with good policy, but also with with good compensation.”
In addition, the budget includes a record $1.1 billion in teacher and “instructional personnel” pay raises.
“I don’t want this money going to bureaucracy or to unions, I want it going to the teachers and that’s what will happen here,” DeSantis said. “100% will go in their pocket.”
The new budget signed by DeSantis would allocate a record $635 million for workforce education programs and funding.
BREAKING: Gov. Ron DeSantis announces signing of "Framework for Freedom" budget
— Florida’s Voice (@FLVoiceNews) June 15, 2023
It includes record funding for education, billions in tax relief for Floridians, workforce education, large surplus, more pic.twitter.com/Slk3TCeYXq
