Florida Senate to scrutinize Rick Scott's proposed budget

As legislators return next week to the Florida Capitol for committee meetings, at the top of the Senate to-do list is Gov. Rick Scott’s projected budget, which features a series of tax cuts.

The Finance and Tax Committee will hear about the governor’s tax-cut package on Monday, Feb. 2.

Two days later, the Appropriations Committee will hear presentations on Scott’s budget proposals. On the same day, appropriations subcommittees will examine spending proposals on education, health and human services, criminal and civil justice, transportation, tourism, economic development and “general government,” an umbrella term covering environmental programs, among others.

Also on Wednesday, Scott will issue his spending plan for the fiscal year that starts July 1.

Lawmakers will take up Scott’s proposals as they meet for the 2015 legislative session beginning March 3.