Recently, Governor Ron DeSantis shared his budget recommendations, titled the Framework for Freedom budget, for the 2023-24 fiscal year. This budget totals $114.8B and shows key investments in various areas, including higher education. FCAN’s new chart provides a comparison between this year’s current budget and the recommendations under the Framework for Freedom budget for key areas in higher education.
Every year when the Florida Legislature convenes for its Legislative Session, policymakers are required to create and pass a balanced budget. Established in the Florida Constitution, this is the only bill the Legislature is required to pass before it adjourns. Though the Legislature is typically done convening in the spring, this budget process starts long before then.
State agencies will create their annual Legislative Budget Requests (LBRs) that they will submit by October 15 in order to outline a breakdown of the money they are requesting and why. Governo DeSantis will then use these LBRs to create budget recommendations that he will then present to the Legislature for consideration. According to Florida Statues, the Governor must present his entire budget recommendation at least 30 days before the scheduled start date of the legislative session. During the legislative session, lawmakers will work on building the upcoming fiscal year’s budget — each chamber with its own version — using the LBRs and the Governor’s budget as a starting point. Lawmakers will also file appropriations projects that are taken into consideration when crafting the budget.
Towards the end of the legislative session, lawmakers will enter budget conference and try to negotiate over differences each chamber might have in its own budget bill version. After negotiations are completed and there is agreement on every line item in the budget (a 500+ page bill!), there is a 72-hour “cooling off” period before either chamber may vote on the final budget. Once the final budget is voted on and passed by both chambers, it is sent off to the Governor where he will review, approve, and veto any items in the bill.
The new budget takes effect on July 1 for the new fiscal year.
Click here to view FCAN’s Higher Education Budget comparisons.
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