Ed Hooper (politician)

Florida lawmakers closed their final budget commission meeting before the midterms with forecasts showing a $7.1 billion surplus next year, a sharp turnaround after two sessions of tightened spending. State Senator Ed Hooper (R-Clearwater), a lead budget negotiator, called it a win for the legislature.

Scrutiny is falling on the state's Emergency Preparedness and Response trust fund, which began the fiscal year with $87 million and is now projected to end with just $6.4 million after covering hurricane response and immigration enforcement, including operations like Alligator Alcatraz. A worst-case scenario could leave the fund $1.5 billion in deficit if multiple major storms hit. Lawmakers approved $240 million in additional support, and Senate Democratic Leader Lori Berman criticized the use of emergency funds for immigration enforcement. Officials say billions in federal reimbursements remain outstanding. New Division of Emergency Management head Jared Perdue, on the job less than three weeks, declined to detail current fund balances. Hooper expects immigration-related spending to face heightened legislative scrutiny once new state leadership takes office.