Jenna Buzzacco-Foerster
The state House approved its nearly $80 billion spending plan, despite oppositions from Democrats over a decision to defund Planned Parenthood.
The House voted 85-29, largely along party lines, to approve the chamber’s $79.9 billion budget.
Among other things, the spending plan sets aside $3.2 billion in reserves, increases per student funding to $7,231 and proposes $90 million for capitol projects at charter schools. It also sets aside $198 million for Everglades Restoration projects, $30 million for beach restoration and $29.4 million for citrus greening.
“I am so excited to vote for this budget,” said Rep. Gayle Harrell, a Stuart Republican. “It is really going to change what we’re doing. We are going to be protecting our state with this budget.”
While supporters lauded the House’s spending plan, many Democrats called out budget writers for a variety of things, including cuts to Department of Health staffing and a heavier reliance on local tax dollars to fund education.
Democrats also spoke out over the decision to defund Planned Parenthood, saying they were being forced to vote against the budget because of the majority’s policy decision.
The House budget includes language that prohibits the Agency for Health Care Administration or the Department of Health from providing any money to Planned Parenthood, a reproductive health services provider, “directly or indirectly.”
Lawmakers discussed the budget language at length Wednesday, and Democrats offered an amendment to strike that language from the budget, which was shot down.
On Thursday, many Democrats who spoke cited the decision to defund the organization as one of the reasons they were voting against it.
“I cannot vote for this budget today because this language is here,” said Rep. Kristin Jacobs, a Coconut Creek Democrat. “I went to Planned Parenthood and I was cared for for many years very well by that organization.”
Democrats said they were hopeful the language would be removed during the negotiations process. The Senate budget does not currently include language specifically addressing Planned Parenthood.
The Senate is expected to vote on its version of the budget later Thursday.
