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TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Largely unaffected by Hurricane Helene, state general revenue in September topped expectations.
A report posted online Monday by the Legislature’s Office of Economic & Demographic Research showed Florida had net general revenue during the month of nearly $4.176 billion, $28.4 million more than anticipated when a panel of economists revised projections in August.
Earnings on state investments exceeded projections by $48.6 million, while most other revenue sources did not meet expectations, according to the report. Sales taxes, which make up the majority of general revenue, totaled $2.779 billion. The total was $4.5 million less than forecast.
According to the report, nearly all of the sales taxes had already been sent to the state before Helene made landfall Sept. 26 in North Florida’s Big Bend region. Corporate income taxes, which are the second largest source of general revenue, came in at $1.027 billion during the month, $13.6 million below the forecast.
General revenue is closely watched because it plays a major role in funding education, health and prison programs. The economists meet periodically during the year to update projections, which are used by lawmakers in negotiating an annual state budget.
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