Florida’s budget negotiations have reached an impasse. During our podcast conversation yesterday, State Rep. Andrade, who chairs the House Health Care Appropriations Subcommittee, revealed a stark divide that may force the state into a special session.
- “My understanding right now is the Senate’s likely going to let the time run out because the Senate’s session concludes on June 6th,” Andrade explained. “I don’t know exactly why the Senate president is comfortable giving up his power to negotiate this, but it seems as if they’re going to let the session expire to force a special session and involve the governor more directly in the budget process.”
House vs. Senate Priorities
The House wants tax cuts and spending reductions, while the Senate resists these measures. Andrade expressed frustration with the impasse.
“The house wants to cut taxes and reduce our budget,” Andrade said. “I don’t know why any conservative would be proposing cutting taxes or cutting our budget, but it seems if the Senate is adamant that they just want to engage in excessive spending still.”
The deadlock has prevented even preliminary discussions between appropriations chairs, with Andrade noting there’s “no point” in meeting until budget allocations are established.
Federal Medicaid Cuts
Despite federal discussions about Medicaid cuts, Andrade believes Florida may avoid a significant impact since the state didn’t expand Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act.
“We’re not an expansion state, so we don’t have this rash of able-bodied adults on Medicaid here in Florida,” Andrade explained. “Depending on the approach that Congress ultimately agrees on and is approved by the president, we might not be affected at all. It might just be expansion states that are affected.”
Traditional Medicaid, where Florida maintains a 60-40 federal-state cost split, is unlikely to face cuts. Some specialized programs could be affected, but wouldn’t directly impact state general revenue.
Yesterday, Gov. Ron DeSantis signed Sen. Don Gaetz’s SB 150, known as “Trooper’s Law,” making it a third-degree felony to restrain and abandon dogs outdoors during declared natural disasters.
“We must do more than tie an animal up to a fence post in advancing floodwaters or abandoning them to the elements. That is why I introduced this bill, which would make it a third-degree felony to abandon, tie up or tether an animal during a National Weather Service-declared emergency,” Gaetz said last February during the committee hearings.
The viral rescue of a bull terrier named Trooper inspired the legislation. Trooper was found tied to a fence in floodwaters along Interstate 75 during Hurricane Milton. The new law carries penalties of up to five years in prison and $10,000 in fines for those who abandon restrained pets during emergencies. Taking effect October 1, 2025, this measure ensures Florida residents understand that “if you evacuate, make sure you are taking your pets,” as DeSantis emphasized during the Big Dog Ranch Rescue signing ceremony.
Disappointing Flip-Flop
State Rep. Michelle Salzman’s PNJ viewpoint surprised locals for praising Gov. DeSantis “for his exceptional appointment of Manny Diaz, Jr., as UWF’s next president.”
Why: Just a month ago, Salzman was fighting her HB 1321. The bill provided more transparency in presidential searches, less interference from the governor’s office, and stricter requirements and term limits for trustees. The House passed it overwhelmingly, 104-8, and locals cheered the Cantonment lawmaker’s leadership.
- “We have a fantastic education system,” Salzman said. “This is not about what we have. This is about showing the voters what we’re doing. This is about transparency in government.”
Dig Deeper: The House vote came the day after Gov. DeSantis criticized her at a Hope Florida rally at Pensacola State College. The governor claimed Salzman’s bill would undermine his higher education reforms. He singled out Salzman, saying she “had been a very good ally for many years” with “a good conservative record” before turning against his agenda.
- “I think what happens is these people go to Tallahassee and they go native,” DeSantis said. “She’s doing the bidding of the leadership and the staff. She’s not doing what you sent them there to do.”
The governor accused Salzman of betraying voters, noting the bill is “co-sponsored by the most flamboyantly left-wing Democrat in the entire Florida House of Representatives.”
DeSantis was particularly incensed by provisions limiting gubernatorial involvement in university president selection: “They even write in this legislation that the governor and the governor’s office can have no communication involving who gets selected to be university presidents.”
The Senate version died without a floor vote.
- Salzman’s flip-flop has disappointed SAVE UWF and other University of West Florida supporters who saw her as an ally. Last week, the state lawmaker was awarded the Community Impact Award by the Usha Kundu, MD College of Health at the University of West Florida.