States Strike Budget Deals Amid Partisan Tensions

Florida lawmakers have reached a last-minute agreement on a $115 billion state budget after over 100 days of negotiations, narrowly avoiding a government shutdown, with a vote expected and Governor DeSantis' line-item veto authority possibly resulting in changes. In Maine, legislators have advanced the second part of their biennial budget, focusing on healthcare, child welfare, and housing, while partisan clashes continue over proposed tax increases and the scale of social spending. Democrats in Maine seek middle-class relief and expanded programs, while Republicans criticize increased taxes on corporations and high earners. North Carolina lawmakers remain unlikely to meet their July 1 budget deadline due to unresolved differences between House and Senate proposals. However, legal provisions ensure state operations will continue even without a finalized budget, though disaster relief and state employee raises could face delays. Overall, contentious and protracted budget negotiations across these states highlight deep divisions over tax policy and spending priorities.