TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) - The Latest on budget deal reached between Gov. Rick Scott and Florida legislative leaders (all times local):
6:10 p.m.
Florida Gov. Rick Scott is wiping out tens of millions in projects, including money promised to homeowners in two counties whose healthy citrus trees were torn down in a failed attempt to eradicate citrus canker.
Scott late Friday signed a new state budget into law, but not before he vetoed nearly $12 billion.
The governor’s large vetoes were money for public schools that he vetoed as part of a budget deal he worked out with legislators. Legislators will hold a special session next week where they are expected to increase the amount going to schools.
But the Republican governor also eliminated more than $400 million in projects including money that was supposed to go to residents in Broward and Lee counties who lost citrus trees.
Scott also slashed money for universities, road construction and community projects.
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11:30 a.m.
Florida Gov. Rick Scott is vetoing $410 million in projects from the new state budget.
Scott announced Friday that as part of a budget deal reached with state legislators he is going to veto individual spending items instead of vetoing the entire $82.4 billion budget.
The money will be used to pay for some of Scott’s top priorities and to boost money for public schools.
Legislators will return for a special session next week where they are expected to approve spending $100 more for each public school student. The budget approved in May only increased student funding by $24 more.
The governor had been threatening to veto the entire budget after lawmakers slashed money to the state’s tourism marketing agency.
The session is scheduled for June 7 through June 9.
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10:11 a.m.
Florida legislators are returning to the state Capitol to hold a three-day special session where they will boost money for schools as well as set aside more cash for the top priorities of Gov. Rick Scott.
Scott is expected to announce the details Friday in Miami with the two Republican legislative leaders. The session will be held June 7 through June 9.
The GOP governor had been threatening to veto the entire state budget after lawmakers slashed money to the state’s tourism marketing agency and provided only a small amount of money for the state’s economic development agency.
Scott will sign the $82.4 billion budget, although he is expected to veto individual spending items.
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