This week members of the Florida House and Senate passed rival versions of the state budget for the year that begins July 1.
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This week members of the Florida House and Senate passed rival versions of the state budget for the year that begins July 1. Compared to the Senate’s spending plan, the House’s plan would shortchange state funding in critical areas where investments are badly needed, and walk back promises made in those areas.
Now, as key members in the two chambers work toward reconciling their competing budgets, we ask you to urge them to accept the Senate’s funding proposals for land conservation, a critical priority for maintaining a healthy water supply, protecting wildlife, and preserving outdoor recreation and the quality of life that millions of Floridians and visitors treasure.
While the Senate budget, like the one proposed by Governor DeSantis in February, includes $100 million for Florida Forever, the House plan doesn’t include any funding at all. Just two years ago, legislators and the Governor wisely agreed to provide a minimum of $100 million a year to Florida Forever, the state’s premier land conservation program, to sustain its operations and momentum.
Zeroing out funding for Florida Forever now would not just abandon that commitment; it would deal a significant blow to the program at a time when environmentally valuable land is increasingly at risk of being lost forever to development due to Florida’s rapid population growth. Whatever land isn’t lost will be significantly more expensive for taxpayers to preserve in the future.
The Senate budget also includes funding for two more vital land conservation programs: $10 million for Florida Communities Trust, a grant program to create or expand local parks; and $12.5 million for Florida Recreational Development Assistance Program (FRDAP), which expands space for outdoor recreation. The House budget also zeroes out funding for these important annual investments.
Both the Senate and House proposals would meet the balanced budget requirement in the Florida Constitution, but the Senate would direct more funding where it is badly needed.
Please join us in urging key legislators to provide Florida Forever at least $100 million next year, and also to follow the Senate’s lead in providing funding to sustain Florida Communities Trust and FRDAP.
Here are the key legislators to contact for environmental spending:
Visit the the 2025 Legislative Tracker at: https://1000fof.org/legis/2025-legislative-session/#/bills/
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