DeSantis Budget: Tax Cuts, Pay Raises, Job Cuts

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has proposed a $115.6 billion budget for the 2025-2026 fiscal year, highlighting increased pay for state law enforcement officers and firefighters, the elimination of a commercial-lease tax, and various sales tax holidays. The budget includes a 20% pay raise for entry-level law enforcement and a 25% increase for veterans and firefighters, alongside the cutting of 741 government positions. DeSantis aims to eliminate the commercial lease tax, reducing it from 2% to 1% in 2026, then removing it altogether by 2027, with a goal to pay down 50% of the state’s tax-supported debt by 2028. Proposed tax holidays include a 'Second Amendment Summer' for firearms and a 'Freedom Month' for outdoor recreational purchases, expected to save Floridians millions. Additionally, DeSantis plans to tackle property taxes with potential constitutional amendments to increase homestead deductions due to rising housing costs. This budget proposal comes amid ongoing disputes over immigration legislation with state lawmakers.