In Tallahassee, Florida, Governor Ron DeSantis has long been recognized for his control over state affairs, commanding influence like few before him due to a commanding Republican supermajority in both chambers. However, as he closes in on the end of his second term, the same political backing that once reinforced his authority is now challenging it, introducing measures that could curb his influence over state budgeting and executive actions – a situation he hasn’t faced since taking office in 2018.
For the past six years, DeSantis has effectively kept state lawmakers aligned, notably using his veto power to trim billions from the Legislature’s projects in 2022, famously inviting legislative leaders to join him on stage as he vetoed $3 billion worth of proposals, underscoring his approach to governance with a dismissive quip about any possible disapproval.
However, the atmosphere shifted significantly when DeSantis reconvened with the state’s legislative body this session, finding an emboldened legislature ready to exercise its own authority. Members from both parties have started questioning the administration’s expenditures, introduced bills requiring agency heads to reside in the counties where they work, and proposed a restriction on the use of state funds to support or oppose constitutional amendments – particularly relevant following DeSantis’s use of state resources to counter 2024 ballot measures on recreational marijuana and expanding abortion rights.
Reflecting on state fiscal policies, House Speaker Daniel Perez commented on what he described as excessive state spending, stating that the House has often criticized local governments for fiscal mishandling while failing to hold themselves to the same standards.
With a significant move against DeSantis, the Florida House recently voted to override four of his budget vetoes from the previous year, reallocating over $5 million to local initiatives and facilities. These bold actions stress the legislative body’s dedication to their constitutional role in shaping the state’s budget, demonstrating increased independence from the governor’s influence.
This is the second occasion when the legislature has acted to reverse DeSantis’s vetoes, the first being in January during a special session on immigration which also saw lawmakers dismiss the governor’s plans in favor of their own financial outlines, restoring $57 million for legislative support – an act not seen in the past decade and a half.
Republican Representative Michelle Salzman, leading the veto review process, noted the significance of the legislature embracing its oversight capabilities, referencing similar practices in other states and highlighting the essential checks and balances in governmental operations.
Additionally, House Speaker Perez proposed a permanent reduction of the state’s sales tax, a departure from DeSantis’s focus on reducing property taxes – a move that prompted some to wonder about potential impacts on local services dependent on such revenue. Perez indicated openness to discussing alternative proposals from the governor about tax policies.
Florida Democrats, traditionally vocally critical of DeSantis but underrepresented in the state’s political landscape, commended their Republican colleagues for exerting legislative independence in overriding the governor’s vetoes. Democratic Representative Kelly Skidmore remarked upon this newfound assertion of legislative authority, suggesting it signaled to DeSantis that his level of control might not be as absolute as previously presumed.