By Laura French
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Florida lawmakers have reached an agreement on the state budget for the upcoming fiscal year, including the allocation of $208 million to provide $1,000 bonuses to first responders.
The state legislature finalized the $101.5 billion budget Monday and will have a final vote on Friday following a required 72-hour “cooling off” period, according to WTSP.
Under the final version of the budget, funding for first responder bonuses will come from Florida’s allocation of American Rescue Plan funds. The budget also includes $1,000 bonuses for teachers and school principals, which will come from the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) Fund under the CARES Act, and an increase in the minimum wage for state employees to $13 an hour.
Bonuses for first responders were proposed by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis when he announced his budget recommendations in March.
The full budget can be read on the Florida Senate website.