Sen. Lauren Book says DeSantis’ positive view of Florida is a ‘delusion,’ criticizes budget
Amber Jo Cooper contributed to this report.
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – After Gov. Ron DeSantis unveiled his proposed budget for 2024-2025, Florida Senate Democratic Leader Lauren Book called his description of Florida a “delusion.”
“The Governor’s description of Florida as a dream is merely a delusion, with rising costs and no end in sight,” said the Davie state senator.
DeSantis announced his proposed $114.4 billion “Focus on Florida’s Future” budget Tuesday, which he said would induce a surplus of $16.3 billion.
DeSantis said the amount always ends up higher, because “the economy here does better than in other parts of the country.”
“We as elected leaders must continue to focus on solving problems and meeting the needs of the 22 million residents of Florida, instead of making partisan political comparisons to places like California or DC,” Book said.
Lawmakers will consider the governor’s recommendations during the 2024 Legislative Session.
Under the budget, $455 million would be pledged to the Accelerated Debt Repayment Program.
Over 1,000 positions will be eliminated throughout the state government to “help us realign resources to focus on efficiency,” the governor said.
Book said she has “major concerns” about DeSantis’ budget proposal, including “cutting state jobs, slashing arts and culture funding, and spending on unnecessary litigation.”
She said she sees “signs of hope” regarding the governor’s recommendation of $431 million to be used to reduce the cost of homeowners insurance.
“When we work together and focus on what unites us, there is a great deal the Legislature can agree on in a bipartisan manner,” Book said. “When our legislative leaders craft the State Budget this Session, we will make sure to keep focus on ensuring a successful, safe, and prosperous future for all Floridians.”
The budget provides more than $1.1 billion in tax relief, including a new tax relief initiative, as well as six sales tax holidays.
The governor’s office said those holidays will save taxpayers more than $475 million.
He also plans to make over the counter pet medications permanently tax free.
DeSantis additionally proposed $170 million in small business tax cuts.
He announced the “highest amount of funding ever” for K-12 schooling totaling $27.8 billion. Around $1.25 billion would go to teacher salary increases, DeSantis said, which is a $200 million increase over the current budget.
Additionally, $10 million would be set aside to recruit veterans and first responders to join the teaching profession.
“That’s something I think is going to be meaningful to a lot of students to have teachers with that type of experience,” he said.
There would be $900 million in the budget to support workforce programs, including $200 million for new career and technical education subjects and programs.
Approximately $20 million would go to expanding apprenticeship programs for high school and college students under the Pathways for Career Opportunities Grant Program.
Around $1.35 million will be dedicated to the Florida Holocaust Museum and funding for the Florida Holocaust Task Force and the Holocaust Memorial in Miami Beach.
“We want the students, we want everybody, but particularly some of these ignorant college students to understand why we say ‘never again,’” DeSantis said.
About $20 million will be used for bonuses for law enforcement recruits. DeSantis said there will be a $5,000 signing bonus per person.
DeSantis said $630 million will be for phase two of the Moving Florida Forward Initiative, which will “expedite another 20 projects to relieve traffic congestion.”
The governor said $157 million will go to support the resiliency of the coastline and $50 million will be for beach re-nourishment. $20 million will be used for infrastructure including water quality impairments and coral reef restoration in Biscayne Bay along with another $22.8 million for coral reef protection and restoration.
