House and Senate are closer to deal on Job Growth Grant Fund spending

The House and Senate are moving closer to a deal on how much to spend on the Florida Job Growth Grant Fund — which is Gov. Ron DeSantis’ pet program.

The Senate has sought $45 million during the ongoing budget talks. In its latest bump offer out late Friday, the House offered $40 million — a significant increase from the House’s original $5 million proposal in the Transportation and Economic Development conference.

Budget negotiators are currently working through Memorial Day holiday to hash out the spending plan after the Legislature failed to pass one at the end of the 60-day Regular Session.

The grant program is meant to help boost economic development by funding infrastructure and workforce training across the state. Previous grant winners include: Citrus and Levy counties and the city of Newberry getting funding for wastewater infrastructure, SeaPort Manatee to rebuild a dock and St. Petersburg College to spend on  tech programs.

DeSantis often travels around Florida and announces the projects at a news conference to tout how his administration is creating jobs.

But DeSantis and House Republican leaders have been increasingly at odds the past two years, raising questions about whether the House would agree to fund DeSantis’ priorities.

DeSantis was seeking $50 million for for the Job Growth Grant Fund in his spending proposal. 

Leaders say they can still finish before the end of May, but it could be close. A budget memo from House Speaker Daniel Perez has House Budget Chair Lawrence McClure and Hooper meeting at 8 a.m. Tuesday to hold talks “until completion.”

If the budget hits desks that day, it starts the constitutionally required 72-hour cooling-off period, teeing up a House floor vote Friday, May 29, with the Senate to follow before Sine Die — with a month to spare before the July 1 start of the fiscal year.

This is the second straight year of a drawn-out budget; last year’s wasn’t passed until June 16.