The House and Senate have failed to strike an agreement on how much to spend on the Job Growth Grant Fund as the House continues to push back on Gov. Ron DeSantis’ agenda.
The Senate is persistent on spending $45 million on the fund, a state-backed incentive program that supports public infrastructure projects and workforce training. The House’s latest offer remains stuck at $5 million.
“When you’ve got a certain amount of dollars to spend and we have to spread it over a lot of different priorities, we really want to make sure that we’re getting the best bang for our buck across the entire budget,” House Transportation and Economic Development Budget Subcommittee Chair Jason Shoaf told journalists Friday when asked about the House’s stance.
The Job Growth Grant Fund is one of several items being debated in the Transportation and Economic Development (TED) budget conference as lawmakers get ready to bump unresolved items to leadership. The Fund has been a favorite of Gov. Ron DeSantis.
The House’s pushback comes after the lower chamber and DeSantis infamously feuded back and forth for months. The dynamics are continuing to play out in budget talks on everything from the State Guard, DeSantis’ security and a cancer research innovation fund and food testing program that First Lady Casey DeSantis has supported.
The Governor occasionally highlights the economic grant program during his news conferences as he travels around the state noting state investments that create new jobs in manufacturing and other industries.
“Florida continues to invest in the infrastructure that keeps our communities strong and competitive,” DeSantis said last year.
In 2025, the Legislature gave DeSantis $25 million after he asked for $100 million for the Job Growth Grant Fund.
The House and Senate are continuing to negotiate during budget talks that resumed this week in Tallahassee as lawmakers work to pass the budget, something they failed to do during the 60-day Regular Session.
Senate President Ben Albritton said Friday he expected a final budget vote just after Memorial Day.
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