After the Legislature and staff had to endure multiple Special Sessions this year, top lawmakers are providing extra days off for the Fourth of July holiday.
Senate President Ben Albritton and House Speaker Daniel Perez issued a joint statement detailing extra “discretionary” holidays for legislative staff members. The official day off for Independence Day this year was already scheduled for July 3, which falls on the Friday before the official holiday.
But this year also marks the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. That played into the decision to provide some extra days off.
“The last few months were filled with many late nights, early mornings, and weekends spent away from your homes and families,” the joint statement said. “As we all prepare to celebrate the momentous, historic occasion of the 250th Anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, we would like to provide some extra time off for legislative staff.”
The additional days include July 1, 2 and 6. That means all offices of the Legislature will close at 5 p.m. on June 30 and will not reopen until 8 a.m. on July 7.
After staffers went through the Regular Session, which ended March 13, legislators and staff returned to the Capitol the following month to grapple with congressional map redistricting before passing a new map more favorable to Republicans.
A second Special Session was convened after that to finalize the budget, which remained unresolved following the Regular Session. Legislators came back and approved the spending plan in late May, resulting in a $114.5 billion budget.
But the work by legislators wasn’t complete. Gov. Ron DeSantis called yet another Special Session on increasing the state’s homestead property tax exemption. The Legislature earlier this week approved a proposed constitutional amendment to go before Florida voters. At least 60% of voters in November must approve the ballot measure in order for it to pass.
