Thread by @FloridaPolicy

FL’s Constitution orders the Gov to submit his budget recommendation at least 30 days before session. Since legislators will return to Tally on Jan 11, today the Gov released his rec. for FY 2022-2023. See it here: floridaleadsbudget.com/web%20forms/Bi…. & read this thread for quick details 1/

The Gov’s rec. is not the official budget, it is what the Gov would like legislators to include in their budget. During 2022 session, each Chamber drafts their version of the budget, negotiate, & pass the final “General Appropriations Act”(GAA) for the Gov to sign &/or veto. 2/

The GAA is always divided into 7 main sections: 1-2. edu, 3. human services, 4. criminal justice & corrections, 5. natural resources, environment, growth mgmt, & transport., 6. general gov, & 7. the judicial branch. Anything after these main sections =“back of the bill.” 3/

In the Gov’s budget recommendation, the main sections equal $99.7 billion – a 2% decrease from the current budget. #sayfie #FlaPol 4/

To maintain accountability, public entities like FL organize & operate their budgets on a fund basis. Each fund is a separate & meant to conduct specific activities & objectives per statutes, laws, etc. 5/

Breaking down the Gov’s $99.7b rec. into funds: $37b in General Revenue Fund (main source of discretionary $, $ comes from state taxes & fees). $36b in Federal Funds (e.g., for Medicaid, $ comes from Feds) & $26b in other State Trust Funds (e.g., Housing Trust Funds). 6/

Since the $99.7b total does not include the “back of the bill” (sections 8-129), the Gov’s rec. is actually worth more. For example, the back-of-the-bill sections 10 & 11 include plans to spend nearly $3b from the American Rescue Plan Act. 7/

By far, the most significant proposal here is the Gov’s “Florida Motor Fuel Tax Relief Act of 2022,” which totals $1.12 billion of ARPA dollars for state fiscal relief. 8/

Looking at the same back-of-the-bill sections 10 & 11, the Gov is also proposing another round of $1,000 payments for teachers & principals, & $1,000 payments for pandemic first responders. 9/

If you want to look at how the Gov’s rec. compares to the current year budget, go here: floridaleadsbudget.com/web%20forms/Bu… . 10/

Finally, along the budget recommendation, the Gov. must provide an “Implementing Bill” that has provisions needed to effect the proposed GAA. You can find it here: floridaleadsbudget.com/content/Curren…. Of note, the Gov’s plan for a “FL State Guard” is found in the bill. 11/11 #sayfie #flapol