James Call
The Florida Supreme Court on Thursday afternoon ordered the House to respond by 10 a.m. Friday to Senate Democrats’ lawsuit against the lower chamber for adjourning the 2015 Regular Session three days early.
After the House replies, the Democrats will have until 12:30 p.m. to answer.
Earlier Thursday, Senate Democratic Leader Arthenia Joyner had asked the Supreme Court to order the House to return Friday, the Session’s last regularly scheduled day. The Democrats had demanded a deadline in their suit against the Florida House.
The complaint alleges the House’s action was unconstitutional. Florida’s Constitution includes a provision that neither chamber can adjourn for more than 72 hours during the Regular Session without an agreement between the House and Senate.
The House and Senate are locked in a dispute over a Senate plan to provide health insurance to the working poor. When the House abruptly adjourned with no warning at 1:15 p.m. Tuesday, members left town without the Legislature having passed a state budget for the fiscal year beginning in July.
Senate President Andy Gardiner has proposed lawmakers return to the state Capitol for three weeks in June to work on a budget. Speaker Steve Crisafulli as of late Thursday afternoon had yet to respond.
