Specter of government shutdown in Florida as House, Senate clash over state budget

Yahoo

13-05-2025

This was supposed to be the week House and Senate leaders met to bridge the gaps of their budget divide that has already sent the legislative session into overtime and seen accusations and insults hurled among GOP officials.
Instead, only the House came to the Capitol on May 13 – and only to extend the session to June 30.
That move, though, carries little weight since the Senate isn't doing the same. The session, which was set to end May 2, has already been extended by both chambers to June 6.
Extending the session to June 30 'sends a clear message. If the Senate's plan is to wait us out, then they will find us unmoved,' House Speaker Daniel Perez, R-Miami, told his chamber. 'We will not be intimidated, and we will not be bullied.'
Perez said Senate President Ben Albritton, R-Wauchula, reneged on the 'framework' of the budget deal they agreed to on May 2 but added he's going to work to bridge the differences in between the chambers.
After the erosion of trust between the chambers, though, Perez said more time is needed to reach a final agreement.
The fiscal year ends June 30. If lawmakers don't pass a budget by that time it would mean a state government shutdown, throwing off planning for school boards, cities, counties and other entities throughout Florida.
Perez said he doesn't think a shutdown will happen, but admitted the chambers are no closer to an agreement than they were last week.
This is a developing news story. Check back for updates.
Gray Rohrer is a reporter with the USA TODAY Network-Florida Capital Bureau. He can be reached at [e-mail]. Follow him on X: @GrayRohrer.
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Florida House accuses Senate of betrayal as state budget talks stalled