Florida Lawmakers Finalize Budget with Worker Pay Raises and Emergency Funding
In a series of late-night negotiations, Florida lawmakers reached agreements on several budgetary issues, including targeted pay raises for certain state workers and increased funding for emergency response and citrus research. Corrections officers, state law enforcement officials, and firefighters are set to receive a 4% raise, while a 1.5% cost of living adjustment will be added to corrections officers' pensions. The budget discussions were part of a special session necessitated by a previous impasse over spending levels. The House and Senate also agreed to allocate $250 million to an emergency fund used by Governor Ron DeSantis for immigration enforcement, contingent on new legislative approval rules. Additionally, $164.5 million was agreed upon for citrus research, a priority for Senate President Ben Albritton. 
