Florida budget

University of South Florida Board chairman Will Weatherford assured officials that DeSantis would come around next year.

The funds were expected to be used toward building a spring training home for the Rays.

Under the Legislature’s plan, districts in Hillsborough, Sarasota, and 10 other counties would have been ineligible for the money because they had mask requirements.

Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a record $109.9 billion budget for the fiscal year that will begin July 1, but vetoes included funds for a Pasco sports complex and an H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center facility in Pasco County.

During an appearance at the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens, the governor expressed support for budget items aimed at helping manatees.

Among the highest-profile items was $35 million for what was described as a “Sports Training and Youth Tournament Complex” in Pasco County.

Included in the budget is $35 million for a "Sports Training and Youth Tournament Complex" that potentially could be used to bring the Rays to Pasco County for spring training.

DeSantis’ vetoes have increased since he first took office in 2019, when he cut $131 million from a budget totaling $90.98 billion.

From abortion to education, here's a look at what came out of the legislative session.

The session was originally scheduled to end Friday, but a delay in finalizing the budget forced lawmakers to extend until Monday. The session adjourned at 1:03 p.m., after votes on the budget and a series of related bills.

Among the budget items agreed upon is $20 million a year for 30 years to help finance a Moffitt Cancer Center expansion in Pasco County, and suspending state gas taxes in October.

House and Senate negotiators finished reaching agreement Thursday, though a missed deadline will force the legislative session to extend until Monday for the votes.