Florida Lawmakers Deadlock on Budget, Jeopardizing Treasure Coast Housing and Conservation Funds

Florida lawmakers have failed to agree on a state budget before their scheduled Friday deadline, with a $1.4 billion gap between chambers threatening funding for affordable housing, land conservation, and emergency preparedness programs that directly affect Martin, St. Lucie, and Indian River county residents.

House Speaker Daniel Perez, R-Miami, confirmed Monday that the 60-day legislative session will not end on time. An extended or special session will be needed. The House has proposed a $113.6 billion spending plan while the Senate budget stands at $115 billion. "We have a fundamental disagreement on what the budget should look like for the state of Florida," Perez told reporters. "The House believes we should spend less money; the Senate believes we should spend more money."

Among the starkest divisions is affordable housing. The Senate dedicates $510.2 million to affordable housing programs — about $223.8 million more than the House — including $184.5 million for the State Housing Initiatives Partnership program, which channels funding directly to local governments for low-income families. The House sets aside $165.7 million for the same program.

For Florida Forever, the land acquisition and conservation program that has protected natural lands across the Treasure Coast, the chambers are far apart: the Senate includes $35 million while the House includes nothing. Instead, the House proposes $300 million for the Rural and Family Lands program, which grants easements to farmers. The Senate includes $200 million for that program.

The emergency fund used for hurricanes — and tapped by Gov. Ron DeSantis for immigration enforcement — expired last month. The Senate passed a bill to renew it with $250 million; the House advanced its own version with $100 million but added stricter legislative oversight requirements. A February report showed the state spent $573 million from that fund on immigration enforcement, which is typically a federal responsibility. DeSantis has claimed the federal government will reimburse the state, but no funds have been repaid.

On citrus research, a critical issue for Florida's agricultural industry that includes Treasure Coast growers battered by greening disease and hurricanes, the Senate proposes $204.5 million while the House allocates four million dollars.

Legislative leaders have acknowledged they will need either an extended session or a special session to pass a budget before the new fiscal year begins July 1.

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