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The Legislative Brief (2025 State Budget Recap): GMCC Advocacy Updates

Assessing How the Final Budget Impacts the Chamber's Priorities and Partners

The 2025-2026 Florida Budget, totaling $115.1 billion, was signed by Governor Ron DeSantis on June 30 - just one day before the new fiscal year began.  The budget reflects a $3.8 billion reduction from the previous year and includes more than $560 million in vetoes, including dozens of local projects.  Despite these constraints, several Chamber priorities secured significant wins, while others saw funding diverted or deferred.  B

This article includes a breakdown of how the final budget aligns with the Chamber's four core policy pillars and regional partnerships, sectioned into four tabs:  Major Setbacks, Areas to Watch, Budget Performance by Chamber Pillar, and Impact on Key Regional Partners.

The 2025-26 Final Budget delivered a mixed bag of wins, setbacks, and stalled momentum across major policy areas. We break down the most critical outcomes across our 4 priorities: transportation, housing, workforce, resilience, and more.

🔴 = Major Setbacks  
🟡 = Mixed or Incomplete Outcomes  
🟢 = Clear Wins

2025 State Budget Recap 

  • Transportation Trust Fund Sweep
    While the budget includes $15.1 billion for the Florida Department of Transportation - including $13.7 billion for the State Transportation Work Program - approximately $467 million per year in documentary stamp revenues were redirected from the State Transportation trust Fund (STTF) into general revenue.  This undermines long-term transit planning and jeopardizes funding for regional projects like the SMART plan. 
  • Veto of United Way Appropriation:
    A $750,000 appropriation secured for the replacement of the roof at United Way's Center for Excellence in Early Education and the Children's Advocacy Complex was included in the Governor's line-item vetoes, despite strong local support and legislative sponsorship.
Tourist Development Tax (TDT) Remains Vulnerable:
While the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau's TDT funding avoided cuts this year, legislation aimed at restricting its use was introduced and could return in 2026.  Continued vigilance will be essential. 

Transportation

  • $15.1 billion total for FDOT
  • $13.7 billion allocated to the State Transportation Work Program
  • $172 million for local project grants
    Status:  🟢 Strong program funding but undermined by recurring trust fund sweeps

Workforce Housing

  • $163.8 million for the State Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP) program
  • $71.2 million for the State Apartment Incentive Loan (SAIL) Program
  • $50 million for the Hometown Heroes Housing Program
    Status: 🟢 Solid investment across key housing programs

Workforce Education

  • $1.36 billion for teachers and instructional staff salary increases
  • $15.9 billion total K-12 public education budget (record $9,130 per student)
  • $1.8 billion for Florida College System
  • $3.9 billion for State University System
  • $726.9 million for workforce education, including $60 million for CTE/apprenticeships and $130 million for nursing
    Status:  🟢 Historic funding levels for K-12, higher education, and workforce training

Resilience

  • $260 million for the Resilient Florida Grant Program
  • $1.4 billion for Everglades restoration and statewide water quality projects
  • $20 million allocated specifically for infrastructure in Biscayne Bay
    Status:  🟢 Strong commitment to environmental protection and storm resilience

Partner

Funding Highlights

Status

FIU

$65 million in local funding initiative (LFI) requests; additional share in $168+ million for research and infrastructure improvements

🟢

MDC

Benefits from $1.8 billion for the Florida College System and workforce education funds

🟢

UM

No direct line-item; indirect benefit from workforce education and systemwide grants

🟡

Beacon Council

No direct allocation; indirect benefit from $50 million Job Growth Grant Fund and $80 million for VISIT FLORIDA

🟢

GMCVB

TDT survived this session; remains a policy target in 2026

🟡

Summary

Despite a leaner budget and several high-profile vetoes, the Chamber’s core priorities in transportation, housing, workforce education, and resilience received meaningful investment in the 2025–2026 budget. While the continued sweep of the State Transportation Trust Fund and the veto of key local priorities present concerns, the Chamber remains well-positioned to advocate for sustained and expanded funding in the year ahead 

Our Advocacy in Action page will soon be your go-to spot for tracking legislative updates and policy wins. Check back regularly to stay informed and engaged.