House Passes Responsibly Balanced Budget Proposal

meaningful tax relief to Floridians

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On Thursday, the Florida House of Representatives passed a $76.2 billion balanced budget that funds top priorities of the state and provides broad-based, meaningful tax relief to Floridians.

Brevard County Gets $21.4 Million In Additional State Funds For Schools

TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA — The Florida House of Representatives passed a $76.2 billion balanced budget last week that funds top priorities of the state and provides broad-based, meaningful tax relief to Floridians.

SEAL-OF-FLORIDA-2000With Florida’s economy continuing to improve, we are once again seeing a significant budget surplus this year.

However, the Florida House remains committed to fiscal responsibility so that our government continues to live within its means.

This budget demonstrates our continued commitment to providing a quality education for Florida’s students by increasing K-12 per student funding to its highest level ever.

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In Brevard County, that means $170 more in per-student funds and a total of $21.4 million in additional funds for our schools.

The budget also sets aside $200 million for performance funding to reward state universities that help students get jobs after graduation, not just framed degrees.

This year’s budget takes a comprehensive and balanced approach to protecting Florida’s precious environment and natural resources.

With Florida’s economy continuing to improve, we are once again seeing a significant budget surplus this year. However, the Florida House remains committed to fiscal responsibility so that our government continues to live within its means.
With Florida’s economy continuing to improve, we are once again seeing a significant budget surplus this year. However, the Florida House remains committed to fiscal responsibility so that our government continues to live within its means.

Some highlights include $205 million for projects from the Florida Forever trust fund, $109.6 million in additional land management funding, and $132 million for Everglades restoration.

I believe broad-based tax cuts are one of the best ways to grow Florida’s economy.

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This year’s budget sets aside $690 million in tax relief to Floridians.

This money will provide savings for individuals and small businesses, while also infusing more money directly into our economy. Florida is a national leader in job creation, and these tax cuts will keep our state on the path to continued economic prosperity.

I also believe government must responsibly plan for the future, just like Florida families must do. This year’s budget maintains $3.1 billion in reserves to prepare for any future economic uncertainty.

With this budget, the House has once again demonstrated good stewardship of taxpayers’ dollars by ensuring our government continues to live within its means and efficiently provide services to our citizens at a much lower rate compared to other states.

Economy Continues to Grow, Added 19,700 Jobs In Feb.

Florida once again continued its trend of strong economic growth by adding 19,700 jobs in the month of February, with a total of 266,600 jobs added in the last year. Florida also continued a near three year trend of exceeding the national job growth rate.

While other states across the nation experience budget deficits and lag behind in job growth, Florida continues to be a leader in job creation. By continuing our commitment to cut taxes at record levels and pass a fiscally responsible budget, I think Florida will continue to be a top destination to create jobs and live the American Dream.

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BELOW VIDEO: Rep. Steve Crisafulli, the new House Speaker, is from Merritt Island, a seventh-generation Floridian and a member of a prominent citrus family. A cousin, the late Doyle E. Carlton, served as governor from 1929 to 1933, while one of Crisafulli’s grandfathers, Vassar B. Carlton, was chief justice of the Florida Supreme Court. Crisafulli and his wife, Kristen, have two daughters.