TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Lawmakers have begun submitting their proposed funding requests for local projects as they convene at the Capitol to gear up for the 2026 legislative session.
Only a few budget proposals have been presented for the session commencing on January 13, but the numbers are expected to grow significantly in the coming months, according to legislative leaders, who anticipate another year of tight budget constraints. The House and Senate will kick off the first in a series of committee weeks starting Tuesday, as they prepare for the session.
Approximately 1,600 spending proposals, with a total value exceeding $2 billion, were included in the 2025-2026 budget that legislators sent to Governor Ron DeSantis. The governor vetoed around 600 of these proposals.
As of Monday, six proposals had been filed in the House for the 2026 session, collectively seeking just over $5.5 million.
Representative Yvette Benarroch, R-Marco Island, has put forward a proposal to allocate $1.92 million for waterway enhancements in Marco Island and $93,175 to fix the roof of a property intended for use as veteran housing in Collier County.
“This roof represents more than just a structural enhancement—it serves as both a literal and symbolic cornerstone for rebuilding lives,” stated a form filed by Benarroch.
Representative Patt Maney, R-Shalimar, has requested $1 million for water system improvements in Baker and $2 million for similar enhancements in Laurel Hill, both of which are situated in Okaloosa County.
House Ways & Means Chairman Wyman Duggan, R-Jacksonville, has proposed providing $350,000 for preservation efforts in Jacksonville’s Springfield Historic District.
Rep. David Smith, R-Winter Springs, requested $195,000 to help with expansion plans for a nearly 70-year-old building that houses Oviedo American Legion Memorial Post 243.
“The funds will provide sufficient space to support growing membership, families and local veterans to participate in activities and receive benefits provided by the American Legion,” Smith wrote in the funding request.
The House and Senate struggled to reach agreement this spring on spending levels and tax cuts for the 2025-2026 fiscal year, which started July 1. The legislative session was scheduled to end in early May, but lawmakers didn’t finalize a budget until mid-June.
Last month, House Budget Chairman Lawrence McClure, R-Dover, said he expects to try to hold down spending during the upcoming session.
“I intend for the House to dig even deeper this (upcoming) year for efficiencies, find waste and ineffective programs,” McClure said after a Joint Legislative Budget Commission meeting on Sept. 12.
State economists have forecast a $3.8 billion surplus for the 2026-2027 fiscal year if spending goes unchanged from the current fiscal year. But without changes, shortfalls are anticipated of $1.5 billion and $6.6 billion in subsequent years.
“I’m very happy that this year we have a surplus, but I want to make sure that future legislatures aren’t confronted with, you know, a $6 billion reduction conversation,” McClure said.
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