Florida House Moves to Extend Legislative Session Amid Budget Dispute
TALLAHASSEE, FL — The Florida House of Representatives made a bold move on Tuesday by passing a resolution to extend the current legislative session until June 30, even as the Florida Senate opted to stay away from the Capitol. This contentious decision underscores the deep divisions among lawmakers regarding the state budget.
House Speaker Danny Perez, a Republican from Miami, asserted the House’s commitment to advancing discussions despite the Senate’s absence. “If the Senate plan is to wait us out, they will find us unmoved,” Perez stated defiantly. The ongoing budget impasse is marked by a staggering $4.4 billion disagreement among the House, Senate, and Governor Ron DeSantis.
The House is advocating for a permanent sales tax cut and a decrease in recurrent state spending, while DeSantis is staunchly opposed to any reduction in sales tax, pledging to veto such proposals. Instead, the governor favors a $1,000 rebate on state property tax, which both he and Senate President Ben Albritton believe aligns better with long-term fiscal objectives and property tax relief for residents.
House Minority Leader Fentrice Driskell, a Democrat from Tampa, warned that the stalemate could extend into late June. “There’s a very real chance we would be here till June 30,” Driskell remarked, highlighting the potential for prolonged negotiations.
As per the Florida Constitution, lawmakers must pass a balanced budget before July 1, adding urgency to the discussions. With the House standing firm on its position and the Senate remaining unwilling to engage, the path forward for Florida’s budget remains uncertain as the extended session looms.
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