Legislative budget leaders said they expect lawmakers to remain “fiscally responsible” after being advised Friday the state faces potential deficits in coming years as federal coronavirus pandemic money dries up.
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After receiving a presentation about Florida’s long-term-financial outlook, House Appropriations Chairman Tom Leek, R-Ormond Beach, expressed optimism that lawmakers during the 2025 legislative session will handle needs for spending in areas such as education and health care.
“I tend to believe that Florida will continue to have revenue surpluses, just because it’s got a strong history of doing that,” Leek, who is running for the Florida Senate, told reporters. “But in the event that it didn’t, the system itself is already set up to be flexible enough that you could make those decisions annually.”
Senate Appropriations Chairman Doug Broxson, R-Gulf Breeze, said lawmakers have not attached federal pandemic aid to long-term projects or programs since the money started pouring in after the 2020 legislative session.