Florida lawmakers approved a $113.9 billion state budget for Fiscal Year 2026-27, marking an overall spending decrease for the second consecutive year, according to a report released today by Florida TaxWatch.
The nonpartisan watchdog group published “The Taxpayers’ Guide to Florida’s FY2026-27 State Budget,” which details the final spending plan passed by the Legislature. The newly enacted budget drops state spending by $926 million, or 0.8 percent, compared to the FY2025-26 fiscal year.
Negotiations began with the House proposing a $113.6 billion package and the Senate offering a $115.0 billion plan. Following an extended budget conference, both chambers settled on an initial $114.5 billion compromise.
The Governor later issued $660.0 million in line-item vetoes, along with vetoes targeting budget transfers and trust fund sweeps that did not alter the bottom line. After factoring in $91.4 million in appropriations passed through general and back-of-the-bill legislation, the net total finalized at $113.9 billion.
Despite the reduction in the total topline number, the report notes that General Revenue spending actually rose by $1.5 billion over the current fiscal year. The analysis also highlights $4.5 billion in additional appropriations that were technically assigned to FY2025-26 and left out of the headline total.
The report also pointed to a sharp rise in local member initiatives tucked into the spending package.
“Florida TaxWatch is proud to present its comprehensive annual Budget Guide, which provides detailed and historical information on this year’s state budget to better understand where and how our hard-earned tax dollars are being spent,” said Florida TaxWatch President and CEO Jeff Kottkamp. “Drawing on our 47 years of experience analyzing our state budget—this unparalled resource provides information and insights available nowhere else.”
Kottkamp added: “Despite the call for a leaner budget, legislators requested more hometown projects than ever before. The budget includes nearly 2,000 of those local member project, which is not sustainable, particularly with potential general revenue budget shortfalls on the horizon.”
Alongside the main guide, Florida TaxWatch published its annual “Budget Turkey Watch” report. The assessment flagged 631 line items worth $829.7 million that bypassed standard legislative procedures or public review, qualifying them as “Budget Turkeys.” The organization also identified another $441.1 million in member projects that fell outside the formal turkey criteria but warranted close gubernatorial review.
The Governor vetoed 342 items flagged in the Turkey Watch report, cutting $229.7 million of the identified projects.
The complete guide and accompanying research are available on the organization’s online Florida Budget Hub.
READ: Florida Beach Manhunt Ends In Arrest After Gunshot Fired Through Bathroom Door
Please make a small donation to the Tampa Free Press to help sustain independent journalism. Your contribution enables us to continue delivering high-quality, local, and national news coverage.
Sign up: Subscribe to our free newsletter for a curated selection of top stories delivered straight to your inbox.
