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Gary FineoutMay 10, 2017

With a friend and a political ally in the White House, this was supposed to be a moment of triumph for Florida Gov. Rick Scott. For years, Scott complained and criticized President Barack Obama and contended he wasn’t helping Florida. Now with Donald Trump in office, Scott has worked out a deal with federal officials […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterMay 9, 2017

Gov. Rick Scott took a swing at state lawmakers, saying the Legislature turned its back on economic incentive deals that have helped Florida “out compete … top competitors for important jobs.” The Naples Republican released a scathing statement Tuesday, scolding legislative leaders for passing a budget that “was done largely behind closed doors.” Scott said […]

Phil AmmannMay 5, 2017

Working toward a final Florida state budget, news of a skirmish between the Senate and House emerges. A war of words appears to have broken out between House Speaker Richard Corcoran and Senate Appropriations Chair Jack Latvala. The Tampa Bay Times reports that Latvala ended budget negotiations after Corcoran “changed the deal” by insisting the final agreement link […]

Associated PressApril 30, 2017

Florida’s public schools will get only a small increase in money for day-to-day operations under an agreement worked out by state legislators. House and Senate budget negotiators on Friday agreed to increase regular public school spending by $241 million. That amounts to about a 1.2 percent increase in money for each student. Republicans have defended […]

Gary FineoutApril 2, 2017

With about a month left in the regular session, Florida’s Republican-controlled Legislature is on a major collision course over spending. This past week the House and Senate released rival budgets for the coming year that reveal a wide divide between the two chambers on everything from taxes to schools to state worker pay raises. The […]

Gary FineoutMarch 7, 2017

Once the Florida Legislature kicks off its 60-day Session March 7, legislators are expected to pass, or kill, dozens of measures dealing with everything from abortion to gambling and the environment. So far, more than 2,000 bills have been filed, but in the end, legislators usually pass fewer than 300 pieces of legislation each year. […]

Michael MolineNovember 22, 2016

House Speaker Richard Corcoran doesn’t believe the Legislature will have $7.5 million above existing spending when the time comes to write the next state budget. “The budget, I think, is going to be difficult,” Corcoran told reporters following the House Organization Session Tuesday. “Once we see the Zika effect in our state’s tax revenues, my […]

Gary FineoutMarch 11, 2016

The Florida Legislature is expected on Friday to approve a more than $82.3 billion budget for 2016-17 that is roughly 5 percent larger than this year’s budget. Here are a few key items you should know about: – EDUCATION: The new budget increases day-to-day public school spending by $458 million, which translates into a 1 […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterMarch 10, 2016

The Florida House rallied behind the Legislature’s proposed budget Thursday, teeing up the $82.3 billion spending plan up for a vote later this week. State lawmakers debated the budget, shrugging off a structured debate format that has been used in recent years. The reason? Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle appeared to support the […]

Phil AmmannJune 20, 2015

No rest for the weary Florida lawmaker. Make that about 80 days of rest. Even as the Sine Die hanky fell on the 2015A Special Legislative Session, and ink dries on a $79 billion budget sitting on Gov. Rick Scott’s desk, plans for next year’s session are already well under way. A joint memo released […]

Tag: Florida budget

Rick Scott has a friend in White House and foes back home

Rick Scott says he will make veto decision ‘based on what’s best’ for Florida families

Jack Latvala blames final budget stalemate on Richard Corcoran’s ‘last-minute switcheroo’

Florida legislators agree to small boost for schools

Divided over dollars: Florida legislators split on spending

Guns, gambling and taxes: Legislators return to work

Richard Corcoran dour on Florida’s state budget outlook

Highlights from Florida’s new $82.3 billion budget

House prepares for vote on state’s $82 billion budget

No rest for the weary: 2016 legislative committee meeting schedule announced