The year started with the swearing-in ceremony of the Florida Cabinet in front of the Old Capitol on January 3rd. Governor Ron DeSantis and Lieutenant Governor Jeanette Nuñez began their second four-year term, as did Attorney General Ashley Moody and Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis. Commissioner of Agriculture and Consumer Services Wilton Simpson is the newest member of the Cabinet.
The Governor signed executive orders extending the emergency management resources and assistance for the Surfside community and for those impacted by Hurricane Nicole until March 6th, and for Hurricane Ian until March 20th. He also signed an emergency management executive order on January 6th that is effective for sixty days in response to refugees landing at the Dry Tortugas National Park in the Keys.
There likely will be special sessions called by the Governor and/or Legislature in the upcoming weeks to address insurance issues and possibly the Reedy Creek Improvement District (home of Walt Disney World). Governor DeSantis released his proposed “Framework for Freedom” budget on February 1st. Totaling $114.8 billion, it includes $1.5 billion in sales tax holidays, increases the state reserves, gives a raise to public school teachers, correctional officers and state workers as well as earmarks funding for issues of interest to the governor like water quality and transportation infrastructure. The Legislature will consider his recommendations as they craft the FY 2023-24 budget during the legislative session.