Gov. Ron DeSantis, like in his previous six years as Florida’s governor, came into this legislative session with a long wish list that he expected fellow Republicans with supermajorities in the House and Senate to simply accept.

But this year has been unlike any other.

The number of things in DeSantis’ defeat column continues to rise, as the clock ticks down on a session planned – but not guaranteed – to expire May 2. Lawmakers have yet to begin serious work on next year’s state budget, prompting speculation about an extension or another special session this summer.

Whether it’s budget items, tax cuts, policies, or initiatives like First Lady Casey DeSantis’ problematic Hope Florida program, the term-limited DeSantis is poised to endure a slew of losses from lawmakers who once backed him blindly.

During a visit in Naples on April 22, DeSantis accused the House and Speaker Daniel Perez, R-Miami, for undermining him, as he has practically every day. “I’m obviously very disappointed that the House is trying to sabotage the momentum,” DeSantis told reporters.

Here’s how DeSantis has performed this spring:

I hope Florida becomes a focus.

As the session began, DeSantis supporters had filed legislation to establish Hope Florida as a unit within the governor’s office, potentially using it as a promotional vehicle for the first lady’s probable quest to succeed her husband next year.

Instead, the House has opened an investigation into the $10 million Hope Florida received from an unreported settlement with the Legislature. Last year, the money was directed to political parties that assisted the governor in opposing a referendum initiative legalising marijuana use, which Rep. Alex Andrade, R-Pensacola, has suggested may have been illegal.

Hope Florida legislation, offered by DeSantis friends to help the non-profit, is practically dead as the session nears its end.

Tax breaks cause a tussle

In February, DeSantis proposed a $2.2 billion tax cut proposal, the centrepiece of which was the repeal of the state’s company rent tax over two years. Neither the House nor the Senate have included it in their respective tax breaks measures.

After the House proposed a $5.4 billion tax cut plan centred on lowering the state’s 6% sales tax to 5.25%, DeSantis responded with a $5 billion plan that would entail delivering a $1,000 rebate cheque to every homesteaded property owner.

DeSantis’ plan has not been taken up by lawmakers.

Instead, the Senate is plainly concerned about the economic downturn that followed President Trump’s tariffs. It is offering a $2.1 billion tax cut in an attempt to appease DeSantis with a study of lowering property taxes, which may serve as the foundation for a November 2026 ballot initiative, as the governor has mentioned.