TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - The latest Florida TaxWatch Budget Watch takes a look at the appropriations not in the budget. The 2017 Florida Legislature passed the $82.418 billion General Appropriations Act (GAA), already the largest in the state's history but this is not all the money appropriated this year. Every session, the Legislature makes a relatively small amount of appropriations in other bills, including funding for agencies to implement new programs authorized by the legislation. This session, the Legislature took this to a new level, passing 23 bills with nearly $2.5 billion in additional appropriations. This funding includes $1.5 billion to reimburse hospitals for uncompensated care (Low Income Pool), $419.0 million for education programs, and $183.1 million for state employee pay raises.

In addition, the Governor called the Legislature back in Special Session to increase funding for education, economic development, and tourism marketing. Lawmakers did that and more, passing three bills containing an additional $517.3 million.

After deducting the Governor's vetoes, the net result is FY2017-18 appropriations totaling $85.158 billion, a $2.9 billion (3.5 percent) increase over the current year. This includes $31.570 billion in General Revenue (GR).

Read the full Budget Watch here.

About Florida TaxWatch

As an independent, nonpartisan, nonprofit taxpayer research institute & government watchdog for more than one third of a century, Florida TaxWatch works to improve the productivity and accountability of Florida government. Its research recommends productivity enhancements and explains the statewide impact of fiscal and economic policies and practices on citizens and businesses.

Florida TaxWatch is supported by voluntary, tax-deductible donations and private grants, and does not accept government funding. Donations provide a solid, lasting foundation that has enabled Florida TaxWatch to bring about a more effective, responsive government that is more accountable to, and productive for, the citizens it serves since 1979. For more information, please visit http://www.floridataxwatch.org.