On June 30, 2025, Governor Ron DeSantis signed Florida's $115.1 billion state budget for the 2025-26 fiscal year, which included nearly $600 million in spending cuts through line-item vetoes.

The budget faced significant challenges, as the legislative session extended 45 days beyond schedule due to a stalemate between the House and Senate over budget negotiations.

Among the cuts, higher education requests were notably impacted, including funding reductions for the University of South Florida and Hillsborough Community College.

The Clearwater Free Clinic's request for $900,000 to expand healthcare services was denied, highlighting the growing demand for health services in the area.

Despite the cuts, the budget allocates $49 million for law enforcement pay increases, benefiting over 16,200 state sworn officers.

Environmental initiatives received attention, with over $1.4 billion designated for Everglades restoration and $460 million for water quality improvements.

The budget also allocates $4 billion for scholarships to private and religious schools, which has drawn criticism from Democrats advocating for increased funding for public education.

In addition to education, the budget supports disaster recovery with $203.8 million for disaster response and $123.9 million for mental health services.

DeSantis emphasized the importance of maintaining substantial reserves amid economic uncertainties, with the budget setting aside $15.7 billion in reserves.

Lawmakers are addressing the challenges posed by the loss of federal coronavirus funding and the potential economic impacts of trade policies, while also prioritizing savings.

The budget increases the 'Rainy Day Funds' to a record high of $4.9 billion, reflecting a cautious approach to future economic challenges.

Overall, the governor's vetoes reportedly bring the state's reserves to over $12.4 billion, indicating a focus on fiscal responsibility.