Sarasota Herald Tribune | by John Kennedy and Zac Anderson | January 28, 2021
Despite budget problems brought on by the coronavirus pandemic, Gov. Ron DeSantis proposed an increase in per-pupil K-12 education spending during the rollout of his 2021-2022 budget Thursday.
DeSantis proposed a $22.8 billion K-12 budget, or $8,019 per student, which the governor said is an increase of $233 in per-pupil funding.
The governor also is budgeting an additional $50 million for teacher pay raises and more money for mental health programs in schools.
Governor Ron DeSantis reveals his fiscal year 2021-2022 budget proposal in a press conference at the Capitol Thursday, January 28, 2021. Tori Lynn Schneider/Tallahassee Democrat
The total proposed budget is $96.6 billion, a $4.3 billion increase, much of which is related to COVID-19 expenditures.
DeSantis said his budget does not include any tax increases and does not increase tuition at Florida’s colleges and universities. It maintains $625 million for environmental initiatives.
The governor’s budget recommendations are only suggestions. The Legislature approves the budget, although DeSantis has veto authority.
Governor Ron DeSantis reveals his fiscal year 2021-2022 budget proposal in a press conference at the Capitol Thursday, January 28, 2021. Tori Lynn Schneider/Tallahassee Democrat
Republican lawmakers who control the Legislature have talked about the possibility of cutting education spending to make up for a big decline in tax revenues during the pandemic.
