Boynton Beach, Florida

Florida's Division of Emergency Management released a long-delayed report Friday showing a projected $1.5 billion worst-case deficit by next summer, just before a legislative budget commission approved an additional $250 million to cover overdue bills. Of that, $187 million goes to contractors tied to the now-closed Alligator Alcatraz immigration detention facility and related enforcement work, including $60 million to a porta-potty supplier; the remaining $62 million covers hurricane recovery costs dating back three years.

The state's pay-first, reimburse-later system means Florida is still owed more than $500 million from the federal government for immigration enforcement (Operation Vigilant Sentry) and roughly $2 billion combined for Hurricanes Helene and Milton recovery. The report, due in July but delivered in September, projects the agency will spend $2.6 billion through mid-2027 while receiving only about $1.1 billion in funding. Democrats on the commission, who voted against the request, criticized the administration's transparency and argued emergency funds are being diverted toward immigration enforcement rather than disaster recovery.