Legislative Update 2025 - Flipbook - Page 14
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Session Week 4
2025
Week 4 of the legislative session was fastpaced,
with
lawmakers
strategically
positioning bills in both chambers to keep
them viable for potential passage. This
approach allows for the possibility of rules
being waived, enabling bills to advance
through inter-chamber messaging. However,
the session has been shortened due to the
legislature’s focus on special sessions and
ongoing disputes between the House, Senate,
and Governor.
FOP Legislative Update
Budget & Policy Developments
The FOP Legislative Committee remained
active this week, advocating for pro-law
enforcement
legislation,
monitoring
problematic bills, and opposing unfavorable
measures.
A major surprise came from House Speaker
Daniel Perez, who unexpectedly proposed a
sales tax cut and an austerity budget. If
passed, Florida would become the only state in
the nation to permanently reduce its sales
tax, cutting it from 6% to 5.25%—a move
expected to reduce state revenue by $5 billion
annually.
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On the budget front, the Senate's proposed
budget stands at $117.36 billion, while the
House plan is significantly lower at $112.9
billion—both falling below the adjusted $118.6
billion budget for the current year.
Key provisions include:
Senate Budget: Proposes a 4% raise for all
state employees, with a minimum
increase of $1,500. Additionally, state law
enforcement officers and firefighters
could see raises of up to 15%.
House Budget: Prioritizes a sales tax
reduction over broad spending increases.
Next week marks the beginning of budget
negotiations between the House and Senate,
known as "conference." However, the outlook
remains uncertain. The House is pushing for a
sales tax cut, the Senate is focused on a Rural
Renaissance initiative, and the Governor is
advocating for a property tax reduction.
Reaching a compromise among the three
remains a significant challenge, with tensions
running high
