TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — The 2025 legislative session is likely going to into overtime after lawmakers failed to strike a deal on the state budget in time to wrap the session on May 2.

“We are all familiar with the timelines for getting the budget on the desk and concluding session on time," said Senate President Ben Albritton, of Bartow. "It’s clear at this point, those timelines have come and gone.” 

What You Need To Know

  • State leaders say the legislative session won’t wrap as scheduled next week

  • Budget proposals in the House and Senate vary by billions of dollars and lawmakers have not been able to find a compromise

  • They say tax relief is a prime issue in negotiations

Florida lawmakers are primarily divided on a tax relief plan and because of that, budget negotiations in Tallahassee remain grid locked.

For their part, the House wants to permanently reduce the state's sales tax from 6% to 5.25%, which would save Floridians an estimated $5 billion per year.

“We will hold the course until we can vote on a fiscally conservative budget that genuinely addresses the state’s spending problem and provides meaningful tax relief to people of this state,” said House Speaker Danny Perez, of Miami.

The Senate, meanwhile, prefers a more moderate approach. They’re proposing to eliminate sales tax on clothing items that cost less than $75, noting sales tax is among the state’s largest revenue streams.

“Make no mistake about it, I am committed to passing historic, unprecedented tax relief,” said Albritton. “However, it won’t be at the expense of the long-term financial stability of our state.”

Gov. Ron DeSantis is proposing a third option: a $1,000 property tax rebate for primary homes. Some lawmakers see it as a more attractive option, as it exclusively benefits Florida residents.

“Why would we give them (non-residents) that benefit?” said West Palm Beach State Rep. Mike Caruso. “They're going to continue to come to Florida as long as the sun shines. I would rather see the money to go to real Floridians, the ones that call this state home.”

State law requires lawmakers to pass a balanced budget. As of Friday, Senate and House leadership is negotiating a $4.4 billion gap.

“The global economy is in turmoil,” said House Minority Leader Fentrice Driskell, a Tampa Democrat. “People are facing an affordability crisis. Let's use the budget as a tool for good, and I hope we can all be grown-ups in the room and work together and get it done.”

Legislative leaders have yet to address how they plan to strike a deal, nor laid out a timeline for when they will resume the budget process after session ends. July 1, however, begins a new fiscal year.