Today, I am pleased to announce my budget recommendation for Fiscal Year 2020-2021. The Bolder, Brighter, Better Future budget of $91.4 billion represents a decrease in per capita spending and an increase in our state reserves.
To relieve Floridians’ tax burden, my budget proposes over $312 million in tax relief. This includes a $56 million 8-day Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday, a $9 million 10-day Disaster Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday and property tax relief of $247.3 million.
I believe that all students in Florida should have the opportunity to receive a high-quality education. In K-12 public schools, my budget proposes an increase in per student funding of $7,979, or $302 per student.
2020 will be the year of the teacher in Florida. I’m recommending raising the minimum salary for full-time classroom teachers to $47,500. This $600 million investment would provide a pay raise for more than 101,000 teachers across Florida.
In addition to this minimum salary increase, I’m proposing $300 million to implement the Florida Classroom Teacher Bonus and Florida School Principal Bonus programs to reward our high-performing educators.
To further stimulate Florida’s workforce, the budget includes $10 million to expand or establish apprenticeship programs through the Pathways to Career Opportunities Grant Program that we created last legislative session.
The budget continues our important focus on the environment, recommending more than $625 million in recurring funding for Everglades restoration and the protection of our vital water resources, moving us closer to our goal of investing $2.5 billion over four years.
This more than $625 million investment includes over $322 million for Everglades restoration projects, $150 million for water quality improvements, $50 million for springs restoration and more than $22 million to combat the harmful effects of algal blooms and red tide.
We are determined to find meaningful solutions to the substance abuse and mental health challenges facing our state. My budget recommends over $54 million to continue the fight against opioid abuse in Florida.
My proposed budget also includes more than $17 million in new mental health and substance abuse funding, as well as an additional $25 million - for a total of $100 million - for mental health initiatives in Florida’s schools.
The well-being of our children is paramount, which is why we invest $97.6 million to fund services to children and families who rely on Florida’s child welfare system. This includes $75.7 million for improving and enhancing quality within the current system.
As we continue to work towards making Florida the most veteran-friendly state in the nation, my budget provides $27 million for Florida’s military presence and families, which will continue to fund military research and development.
Despite our strong economy and low unemployment, finding affordable housing can be challenging. My budget provides $387 million to fully fund Workplace and Affordable Housing Programs, with $267.2 million for the SHIP and $119.8 million for the SAIL program.
The budget also provides $8.8 billion for the State Transportation Work Program, including $2.8 billion for highway construction, $323.9 million for aviation improvements and $212.9 million for safety initiatives.
Hurricane recovery has been a top priority for my administration. The State of Florida is projected to spend over $1.9 billion on hurricane preparedness and recovery for the two most recent hurricanes to make landfall in Florida – Irma and Michael.
Through the Hurricane Michael Recovery Grant Program, my budget includes $25 million for resources where insufficient federal, private, and insurance funds are available to fund projects designed to repair, replace, and hardening of affected infrastructure.
Earlier this year I directed @fdlepio to develop a statewide threat assessment strategy. In my budget, I am proud to include $4.7 million and 20 positions to implement the first Statewide Behavioral Threat Assessment strategy in the country.
.@FDLEpio is responsible for maintaining a variety of databases that law enforcement use to investigate crimes and apprehend criminals. The budget includes more than $14.5 million to expand and enhance these databases.
Ensuring free and fair elections is crucial in preserving our democracy. That is why the budget recommends $6.6 million for state-level election oversight activities, with a focus on cybersecurity enhancements to Florida’s election system.
As part of my recommended budget for election integrity, we included $1.4 million for Florida to join the Election Information Registration Center (ERIC).
This budget places an emphasis where it is needed, making key investments in our K-12 education system, our environment and the well-being of all Florida families. Florida’s future has never been bolder, brighter or better than it is today.
