The legislative session in Tallahassee, Florida, extended 45 days beyond its planned 60-day period, marking one of the lengthiest sessions ever recorded.
Over recent months, the political tensions between the governor and Republican leaders have been a significant focus. Now that a budget has finally been approved, attention shifts to Gov. Ron DeSantis as he makes decisions on what will remain in the final version.
DeSantis now heads back to Tallahassee to review the state’s budget, and vetoes are expected.
“We have less than two weeks with a lot of stuff on our desk,” DeSantis said.
The governor is blaming House leadership for dragging the 2025 session far past its deadline.
“It’s regrettable, but the fact is, the House leadership prolonged this needlessly for 45 days,” DeSantis remarked. “The approved budget doesn’t represent any substantial change. There were no significant policy victories achieved. It was something that could have been resolved 45 days earlier.”
Whether it was immigration, property insurance, tax cuts, or the controversial Hope Florida scandal, the 2025 legislative session was filled with capitol clashes between the Governor and House and Senate leaders.
“We were able to have highs and lows,” House Speaker Danny Perez ssaid. “We were able to have civil discourse. We were able to have a difference of opinion. We were able to reach a conclusion that maybe either the Senate or the governor didn’t agree with. That was our goal. Our goal was to be a Co-equal branch of government, to have an opinion, an opinion that matters, an opinion that’s valued.”
Perez called the session’s highs and lows a benefit, and while Democrats agree that a balance of power between branches was healthy, they hope next session will be different.
“The House is willing to fight against the governor, governor is willing to fight against the House, Senate and the House are willing to go their separate ways when they have to. We all understand each other now. So, let’s get together. Let’s be grown-ups and let’s pass some transformative policy for Floridians,” said State Rep. Fentrice Driskell, D-Tampa.
Political analyst Tara Newsom weighs in on the conversation, saying there was no real “winner” this session.
“Everyone’s asking that question,” Newsom said. “Who’s the winner of this session? Who came out on top? The truth is, there was no real winner in this legislative session because the Florida voters didn’t get heard.”
There may be pro-business tax cuts and reserves saved up for possible federal funding gaps in this year’s budget, but it didn’t include a key issue for Florida voters: property insurance reform.
“Until the Florida legislature listens to Florida voters, meets the moment, tackles property tax, tackles home insurance, protects our environment, which is part of our industry. I think Florida voters are going to think this was a lose-lose,” Newsom said. “Even though it went to 105 days, they didn’t get very much out of that extended legislative term.”
The question that remains is whether these key tension points will carry into next session and which issues will survive the swipe of the Governor’s veto pen?
