Florida lawmakers have finalized its Fiscal Year 2026-27 budget, compartmentalizing $117.6 billion for investment in education, infrastructure, public safety, environmental conservation and economic growth.
This year’s budget marks the fourth consecutive year of declining state spending. Gov. Ron DeSantis owes this milestone to the state’s efforts to reduce its government size, pay down debt, build reserves, lower taxes and invest in its future. Currently Florida has one of the lowest per-capita state budgets.
The state’s education sector is highlighted as among the budget’s most pressing priorities, delivering more than $30 billion in funding across all education levels. From that amount, $16 billion will be funneled into the K-12 public school system. A selection of major education investments highlighted in the budget include:
- $3.9 billion for the State University System.
- $1.8 billion for the Florida College System.
- $1.65 billion for early child education.
- $1.56 billion to increase salaries for full-time classroom and Pre-K teachers with at least a decade of experience in a Florida public school through the Florida Education Finance Program (FEFP.
- $1.15 billion for the School Readiness program.
- $1 billion for education capital outlay projects.
- $732 million to support workforce education programs.
The budget dedicates a total of $15.9 billion to support the Florida Department of Transportation’s (FDOT) operations and initiatives. Out of that budget, $14.4 billion will go toward the State Transportation Work Program. Major initiatives featured in this program include:
- $4.9 billion for highway construction and maintenance.
- $1.4 billion to resurface 2,622 lane miles.
- $917.8 million to repair and replace 59 bridges.
- $374.7 million for aviation improvements.
- $269.1 million for safety initiatives.
- $186.8 million for community trail projects.
- $155.5 million for seaport infrastructure improvements.
Florida will also emphasize its space industry, committing $93 million to support improvement programs and infrastructure development. Other plans include investing $172 million in local transportation projects.
In its ongoing fight to conserve the environment and natural resources, Florida has dedicated billions to preserve and restore natural areas, including the Everglades, coastlines, rivers, lakes and parks. These efforts will help ensure ecosystems and habitat thrive in the wild while promoting resiliency for communities across the state.
Among these investments, the state will deliver $665 million to restore the Everglades. The funding will be prioritizing investments in the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP) and other project components that reduce harmful discharges into critical estuaries.
The budget includes a $425 million allocation for the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program, shoring up and securing critical farm and agricultural lands.
Another $396 million will be used to improve water quality in key bodies of water across the state. Projects will target local wastewater facilities, priority areas in the Indian River Lagoon and Biscayne Bay, meeting scientific nutrient reduction goals and improvement projects through the Water Management Districts.
The state will deliver $195 million to support resiliency efforts, primarily focusing on statewide resilience projects, resiliency activities and coral reef protection. Another $193 million will advance contaminated site cleanup initiatives.
As Florida continues to boast commitments to maintaining high-quality healthcare services, the FY 2026-2027 budget included millions in investments for research, care, prevention and accessibility. In its ongoing fight against cancer, the state will deliver $272 million to advance prevention, treatment and discoveries in cancer research and innovation.
Additional healthcare investments include $214.6 million to increase provider rates across various programs, $174.6 million to expand treatment, prevention and recovery services for opioid addiction, $90.3 million to strengthen the child welfare systems and a $73 million increase for behavioral health services.
Other essential components of the budget focus on strengthening the state’s military presence, public safety services and economic growth.
Photo by Marina Baklarova from Pexels
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