DeSantis Signs Budget with Major Cuts | Jacksonville News

Governor Ron DeSantis signed his final budget before leaving office — a $117.6 billion plan — but slashed $810 million from it just before the new fiscal year began, after a tense legislative scramble. He framed the cuts as proof Florida’s government is shrinking, citing four years of budget reductions, over 1,300 layoffs, and debt-cutting wins. A major chunk of vetoes — $249 million — targeted prison funding, including new cells, repairs, and a corrections hospital, which he deemed too risky to finance through borrowing, especially since it would undermine his debt-reduction goals. He also killed a 40-year capital plan for corrections, killing linked pay raises for officers — though he still supports better pay, he said borrowing was off the table. Despite the cuts, the budget still includes $1.5 billion to boost teacher pay — with extra for veterans — and $665 million for Everglades restoration, a top priority for him. Support the show:Get a discount at https://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/8708efca00f5addd