The Florida legislature today passed its budget for the 2022-2023 Fiscal Year. The budget, agreed upon by the Florida House and Senate last Thursday, totals $112.1 billion – up more than 10 percent from the current year’s budget.
“My colleagues and I spent the last few months pushing for people-centered policies. I’m ecstatic to see some of these policies prioritized in the budget,” said Representative Michele Rayner. “I’m grateful for the time and debate that members put into forming this budget and I’m especially grateful to President Joe Biden and the Biden-Harris Administration for the federal relief funds which helped families across Florida.”
Many projects could not be funded without the $3.47 billion in federal stimulus money. This aid helped complete the budget with a variety of investments including $400 million for broadband expansion and $1.47 billion for construction and maintenance projects in the education system.
The new budget allocated historic funding for the arts including one of the appropriation projects from Representative Rayner’s office, the Carter G. Woodson African American Museum. Representative Rayner also secured funding for The Well for Life, a mental health and trauma healing center. These items are in the final document headed to the Governor’s desk.
Other key provisions include a nearly $1.7 billion increase for education, $782.4 million for water quality improvements and a $15 minimum wage for state employees and workers.
