PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. – If state lawmakers approve Gov. Ron DeSantis' latest budget proposal, it could mean a 25% pay increase for veteran state sworn law enforcement officers and firefighters, the governor announced Fridat at a news conference in Ponte Vedra Beach.
NOTE: Press play above for a replay of the governor’s opening remarks
DeSantis was joined by Florida Department of Law Enforcement Commissioner Mark Glass and Florida Highway Patrol Director Colonel Gary Howze for the announcement at Valley Smoke Restaurant, a favorite stop for DeSantis in Northeast Florida.
After talking about recent efforts to recruit new officers to Florida by offering bonuses and covering tuition expenses, DeSantis announced that he’s included nearly $120 million in his 2025-2026 state budget proposal to work on retaining those first responders.
“We think these are important vocations. We want to make sure we’re keeping good talent," DeSantis said. “The reality is, if you don’t do that, it’s not that they don’t want to serve, but if they have other opportunities, then you lose them.”
DeSantis said the $120 million would be spread across 4,700 state sworn law enforcement officers and more than 700 state firefighters.
It amounts to a 20% pay increase for entry level LEOs and a 25% pay increase for veteran sworn LEOs and firefighters, DeSantis said.
“This is not a terribly large amount of money in the context of the overall budget. It’s a small fraction,” DeSantis acknowledged. “But I think it will be very, very meaningful, and it will ensure that the good work that has been done will be able to continue.”