DeSantis Unveils Budget Proposal for 2026 Fiscal Year

On Sunday Gov. Ron DeSantis announced his Fiscal Year 2025-2026 budget recommendations, highlighting millions of dollars for system modernizations, cybersecurity, economic development and other technology-related projects.

According to a press release from the governor’s office, the budget totals $115.6 billion, down $3 billion from the last one. The state’s reserves are $14.6 billion, which is about 12.5 percent of the total budget.

Also noted was a $3 million permanent extension of a sales tax exemption for data center property to incentivize artificial intelligence infrastructure growth and new jobs.

Last year DeSantis recommended $114.4 billion, plus $16.3 billion for reserves.

Here are some technology highlights from the governor’s proposal:

AGENCY FOR HEALTH CARE ADMINISTRATION

Gov. DeSantis recommended $14.8 million for IT for the Agency for Health Care Administration, coming in short of the agency’s $16.2 million request.

Specific recommendations for the agency include: $550,000 for a managed cybersecurity threat monitoring and response solution. Also noted is $16.4 million for IT operations expenditures.

AGENCY FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES

DeSantis recommended $15 million for the Agency for Persons with Disabilities, coming in short of the agency’s $19 million request.

Specific recommendations for the agency include:

• $1.5 million for training and ongoing support for its client data management system 
• $1.4 million for cloud hosting, maintenance and data services 
• $914,389 for a computer refresh
• $759,125 for licensing and data management

Also noted is $17 million for estimated IT operations expenditures.

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND CONSUMER SERVICES

DeSantis recommended $25 million for IT agencywide, coming in short of the agency’s $38 million request.

Specific recommendations for the agency include $3.6 million for IT security enhancements. Also noted is an additional $26.9 million for estimated IT operations expenditures.

DEPARTMENT OF BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONAL REGULATION

DeSantis recommended $18.2 million for IT agencywide, coming in at roughly the agency’s requested amount.

Specific recommendations for the agency include $683,822 for Microsoft licenses. Also noted is $17.3 million for estimated IT operations expenditures.

DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES

DeSantis recommended $141.2 million for IT agencywide, short of the agency’s $141.8 million request.

Specific recommendations for the agency include $1.2 million for enterprise wireless access point replacements. Also noted is $123.7 million for estimated IT operations expenditures.

Stay tuned for continuing Industry Insider — Florida coverage of the budget in the coming days.