Tensions in an ongoing public spar between Governor Ron DeSantis and Capitol leaders were raised higher Wednesday, as the governor slammed a House-passed budget he said makes “disgraceful” cuts to state law enforcement. Florida’s GOP House Speaker fired back hours later accusing the governor of lying to the public. DeSantis weighs in on Florida budget Flanked by FHP troopers and FHSMV Director Dave Kerner, Governor Ron DeSantis continued his crusade against House Republicans during a press conference in Fort Myers Wednesday. While negotiations over the state budget continue in Tallahassee, the Governor scrutinized the House approved proposal as one that ‘defunds’ state troopers, claiming it removes funding for state law enforcement pay raises, equipment and to replace aging patrol vehicles, money he included in his budget proposal earlier this year. “What the Florida House of Representatives has done is just wrong, and you all ought to know about that,” said DeSantis. “This is a donkey in an elephant suit what they're doing going after law enforcement.” The governor added the House budget cuts 84 current state trooper positions and 73 state dispatchers, “By the way, I don't think the workload is going down in Florida,” DeSantis added. Also appearing with the governor Wednesday was Amanda Gerhardt the fiancée of late-state trooper Zachary Fink who was killed in the line of duty, and Kathleen Turner, the wife of Trooper Steven Turner who survived being shot while on patrol. Both spouses joined the Governor in criticizing the House spending plan. “I cannot begin to tell you how surreal it is to be the wife of a state trooper who nearly died after being shot while protecting the citizens of this state, and be told that the House of Representatives cut funding to protect him,” said Turner. "These [troopers] are working hard. They're putting their their lives on the line, and and they deserve our support. They have my support. I'm pretty confident they have the support of the Florida Senate. But what the Florida House of Representatives done is just wrong," DeSantis added. House speaker fires back Following a House session Wednesday, Speaker Daniel Perez (R-Miami) fired back while speaking to the press in Tallahassee. “I'm not going to allow [the governor] to lie,” Perez said. "It seems that we're getting into this regularity where he has a temper tantrum, he gets in front of a camera and he starts to do one of two things," Perez added. "Either spew lies and willingly choosing to lie about what he is telling the people in front of a camera, or he is choosing not to read the bills or look at our budget." In a statement Perez’ office tells 10 Tampa Bay the House has not "defunded anything." "The only reduction in the House budget for the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles was from vacant positions that have not been filled," read the statement. "Not a single dollar of salary funding for vacant trooper positions was cut. In fact, by maintaining that funding, the department retains the flexibility to invest in priorities like increased pay, ballistic armor, and other critical needs they claim are being shortchanged.” Budget negotiations continue While overshadowed by a battle with the executive branch, budget negotiations between both chambers continue. However, the House and Senate plans remain billions of dollars apart, with differences over how to cut taxes. Lawmakers must reach a balanced budget agreement to submit to the governor before their end of session May 2nd.