Dear Friends,
The 2024 Legislative Session has officially commenced as we held opening day on January 9th, 2024. Leading up to this momentous day, our Committees have been working diligently throughout December to ensure that we hit the ground running.
The Senate Committee on Health Policy passed the Live Healthy Legislative Package. Aimed at addressing healthcare workforce shortages and advancing innovation in healthcare, this legislation is critical to ensure that every Floridian has access to vital healthcare services. Access to healthcare is critically important at every phase of life, and due to Florida’s shortage of healthcare professionals, insurance does not guarantee access. Live Healthy provides robust policy enhancements and strategic investments to generate growth amongst our workforce and stimulate innovation across all sectors of healthcare, expanding access to services and enhancing the quality of care.
The Senate Committee on Fiscal Policy passed a legislative package aimed at cutting burdensome red tape and providing more flexibility to neighborhood public schools across the State of Florida. Through the three critical pieces of legislation contained in this package, the Florida Senate is reaffirming its commitment to support teachers, empower parents, and level the playing field in Florida’s K-12 education system.
The Director of Policy and Budget for the Executive Office of the Governor, appeared before the Senate Committee on Appropriations to present the Focus on Florida’s Future Budget proposal for Fiscal Year 2024-2025.
The Focus on Florida’s Future Budget includes $114.4 billion in total funding for public safety, education, economic development, and other needs across the State of Florida. This budget proposal also maintains $16.3 billion in state reserves, dedicates $455 million to accelerate the reduction of our state’s outstanding debt, and provides significant tax relief for Floridians.
The Focus on Florida’s Budget establishes record funding for education, increasing the per-student allotment to ensure that all students have access to the full array of educational opportunities. Further, this budget increases the teacher salary allocation, allowing Florida’s public schools to recruit and retain the very best teachers.
This budget proposal also provides full funding for affordable housing programs such as the State Apartment Incentive Loan Program, the State Housing Initiative Program, and the Hometown Heroes Program. This funding ensures that the policy measures and funding established in the Live Local Act continue to expand access to affordable housing opportunities.
Additionally, this proposed budget makes significant investments in preserving and protecting Florida’s beautiful natural resources. Through strategic funding dedicated to Everglades restoration, water quality improvements, and citrus protection, the Focus on Florida’s Future Budget places a specific emphasis ensuring that generations of Floridians will be able to experience an enjoy the paradise we call home. The Senate and House will review and consider the Governor’s proposed budget before drafting their own proposed budgets for Fiscal year 2024-2025.
We thank you for taking the time to read this letter and we hope that it has provided insight into the critical areas of need that we will be focusing on this session.
Onward and Upward,
Senator Dennis Baxley
