Florida lawmakers OK budget, end session quietly and go home

By BRENDAN FARRINGTON
Associated Press

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — After 60 tumultuous days fighting about abortion, immigration, LGBTQ+ issues, guns and teaching sexuality in schools, Florida lawmakers have unanimously passed a $117 billion state budget. In addition to passing the budget Friday, lawmakers this session passed legislation on several issues that feed into Gov. Ron DeSantis’ political future as he considers seeking the Republican nomination for president. Among them are a six-week ban on abortion, efforts to shield students from lessons on LGBTQ+ issues, a prohibition on gender-affirming care for minors and allowing gun owners to carry concealed weapons. A Republican supermajority in both chambers left Democrats powerless to stop many of the issues on DeSantis’ agenda.