Legislative Update 2025 - Flipbook - Page 30
7
Session Week 7
2025
Week Seven of the 2025 Session was no less
eventful than previous weeks. The legislature
remains mired in confusion and turmoil.
Thus far, the 2025 Session has been marked by
members jockeying for positions and races,
strategically planning future campaigns,
holding special sessions, engaging in angry
posturing, and pursuing veto overrides.
This week marked the beginning of the budget
battles, with the debate over tax relief packages
intensifying.
Hopes were high for public budget negotiations
to begin, but momentum stalled after Senate
President Ben Albritton introduced a third tax
package option and the Governor held a series
of press conferences. President Albritton’s
proposal included a study on phasing out
Florida’s property taxes on primary residences
and a permanent sales tax exemption on
clothing and shoes costing less than seventy-five
dollars.
All three proposed tax packages could reduce
local and state revenue. Of the three, the
Senate’s offer appears to have the least impact
on public safety budgets. Still, pay raises and the
reinstatement of the cost-of-living adjustment
(COLA) are expected to be significantly affected
by the anticipated loss of tax income.
The legislature is constitutionally required to
pass a balanced budget and ensure the Florida
Retirement System (FRS) is funded in an
actuarially sound manner. Currently, there is a
$5 billion gap between the House and Senate
budgets, and both chambers remain at odds
with the Governor’s proposed budget.:
In a press conference, the Governor accused the
House Speaker of defunding the police in Florida,
a claim that has not helped ease tensions with
the House of Representatives. While Speaker
Perez has remained largely silent during most
press briefings, he did respond this week to the
Governor’s accusations.
One of his remarks stood out:
