Unlike the US Constitution, Florida's state constitution requires a balanced budget. Florida’s Constitution began requiring a balanced budget with the 1968 revision, which took effect in 1969. Article VII, Section 1(d) requires the state to raise enough revenue to cover its expenses for each fiscal period. Meanwhile, Democrats keep blocking Balanced Budget Amendments Republicans have pushed on the US Federal level.

This year "More than 50 percent of all state debt accumulated since statehood [exclusively before a balanced state budget was required] has been repaid ahead of schedule, with Florida now on track to retire approximately 52%."

Governor Ron DeSantis has confirmed that after finalizing the new budget, the state of Florida will have slashed spending for 4 straight years.

Despite Florida's having a larger population than New York, 23 Million versus 20 Million, Florida’s budget will be less than half the size of New York’s. The state’s rainy day fund will be 100% full and more than 3 times larger than it was just 7 years ago.

Florida has banned the use of welfare for smoking, drugs/intoxicants, tattoos, gambling and porn.

And also unlike California, Florida has fully completed construction of its planned High Speed Rail using a public/private partnership - accent on cost-free private.

All of this despite no state income tax and upcoming cuts to property taxes.

Florida continues to lead with fiscal responsibility and strong conservative governance.

A major difference is Florida has not been saddled with a Democrat Governor any time in this Millennia. Only Republicans have been elected Governor of Florida since Lawton Chiles(D) cheated his way to election victory with election eve phoned lies in 1994 - almost 32 years ago. The calls told the large population of Florida's retirees that Jeb Bush(R) would cancel their Social Security. Impossible for any state Governor to do since it is a Federal program.


Much more at Links:
https://www.flgov.com/eog/news/press/2026/governor-ron-desantis-signs-florida-fiscal-year-2026-2027-budget-capping-eight

https://www.tallahassee.com/story/news/politics/2026/08/25/florida-temporary-cash-assistance-restrictions-ban-purchases-services/91453275007/