April Special Session: Maps, Taxes and Budgets

Because the Florida Legislature failed to fulfill its constitutional duty to pass a state budget before the end of the regular legislative session, lawmakers are expected to return to Tallahassee for a special session in mid-April. During this special session, legislators are expected to take action on the state budget and revisit the issue of property taxes.

Property tax reform was a major priority for Governor DeSantis this session. While the Florida House advanced several proposals aimed at reducing property taxes, the Senate did not take action on those measures before the regular session concluded.

In addition, the Legislature already has a separate special session scheduled for April 20–24, where lawmakers are expected to consider congressional redistricting.

As you know, Donald Trump has repeatedly called on states to redraw their congressional boundaries mid-decade in order to give him and the Republican Party a better chance of holding onto power during the midterm election in November.  Republican-led states like Texas and Ohio have already taken steps in that direction, prompting Democratically led states such as Maryland and California to explore responses aimed at offsetting potential gains.

Florida is now one of the last major states poised to act. When Florida last did redistricting in 2022, Governor Ron DeSantis and the Florida Legislature dramatically reshaped Florida’s congressional map, dismantling a historic Black opportunity district and reducing Black representation in Congress. That map shifted Florida’s congressional delegation from a 14–13 split to the current 20–8 advantage for Republicans.