Florida to give $50M to local law agencies for immigration enforcement

About half of those funds are being allocated to only one county.

by News Service of Florida February 19, 2026February 19, 2026

While $14M of the funds are for new awards, the other $39M is for 12 law enforcement agencies that are amending their original budgets.

News

Orange County among potential sites for proposed $127M prison, report says

The House proposed $127 million for planning and design of a new 4,800-prisoner facility and adjoining 600-bed hospital unit

by Mitch Perry, Florida Phoenix February 18, 2026February 18, 2026

News

DeSantis’ $374M request for correction officer pay raises gets a boost

Florida Lieutenant Gov. Jay Collins — candidate for the Republican nomination for governor — is promoting DeSantis’ budget request

by Mitch Perry, Florida Phoenix February 9, 2026February 9, 2026

News

Sen. Carlos Guillermo Smith says Florida prisons need more money than they’re asking for

The Orlando lawmaker cites finding that the agency’s path was ‘unsustainable.’

by Mitch Perry, Florida Phoenix January 19, 2026January 19, 2026

News

DeSantis’ proposed budget changes how Florida funds cancer programs

The push is likely to spark another largely behind-the-scenes battle among those who rely on the state money to help with research programs

by Christine Sexton, Florida Phoenix December 18, 2025December 18, 2025

Florida News

In Orlando, DeSantis proposes $117B budget that bans ‘social justice’ efforts

“Today I announced the ‘Floridians First’ Budget, which will keep Florida on the course of fiscal responsibility and delivers on the priorities that have made Florida the greatest state in America.”

by Christine Sexton, Florida Phoenix and Liv Caputo, Florida Phoenix December 11, 2025December 11, 2025

News

Florida Gov. DeSantis signs $115 billion-plus budget with $567 million in vetoes

The 2025-2026 budget comes in less than the 2024-2025 budget, which was $117.46 billion

by Jay Waagmeester and Jackie Llanos, Florida Phoenix July 1, 2025July 29, 2025

News

DeSantis signs $1.6B tax package to give cuts on school shopping, hurricane supplies, commercial leases

Sales taxes will also disappear on admissions to state parks, tickets for NASCAR Cup Series Championship Races and more

by Jim Turner News Service of Florida July 1, 2025July 4, 2025

News

Funding for free prison phone calls makes it into Florida’s 2026 budget

Advocates hope the proposal, included in the $115 billion budget passed by the Legislature, will survive DeSantis’ veto pen

by Mitch Perry, Florida Phoenix June 23, 2025July 22, 2025

News

Florida lawmakers approve $115.1 billion budget after session marked by ‘conflict and controversy’

The budget, which will take effect with the July 1 start of the 2025-2026 fiscal year, remains subject to DeSantis vetoes

by Jim Turner and Tom Urban, News Service of Florida June 17, 2025July 12, 2025

News

Florida budget talks to resume with $900M tax cut for commercial leases on the table

Conference committees will start meeting Tuesday to negotiate details of the different parts of the budget, such as education, health care and criminal justice