Budget negotiations move forward; special session next month

(The Center Square) – Agreement has been reached by the Senate and House of Representatives on joint budget allocations and dates have been set for a special session on Florida’s budget.

In a memo to senators Thursday, Senate President Ben Albritton said he and House Speaker Daniel Perez will be releasing a joint proclamation about the special session in the next few days. It is scheduled to run May 12-29.

The nearly three week-long session will include conference committees meeting the first week with all senators returning to their districts after May 15 and coming back to Tallahassee after Memorial Day to vote on the conference report, according to the memo.

Albritton said the final budget will be lower than Florida’s state budget for the current fiscal year, similar to the budget that was passed off the Senate Floor. He added the budget would emphasize long-term financial stability and focus on low taxes, paying down debt, and saving for the future.

The agreed upon budget allocati...