UPDATE from Tallahassee
Dear Editor:
This update is to inform you of what has been taking place during the Special Session.
The House votes on a $78.7 billion state budget Friday evening, June 19. The spending plan for 2015-16 represents an increase of $1.6 billion compared to the current fiscal year.
Budget questions and debate were scheduled for [last] Thursday and Friday.
After the House and Senate pass the budget, it goes to Gov. Rick Scott, who has line-item veto authority.
The state’s fiscal year ends June 30, so Gov. Scott will need to act on the budget by then to avoid any complications to state government operations.
While the House did not approve a Senate plan to expand health care coverage, the final budget does include $450 million in state general revenue in addition to federal and local funds to provide hospitals and clinics money for uncompensated care.
The budget also includes increased spending on education for public schools, funded at $7,097 per student, a 3-percent increase compared to this year.
I was able to advocate for my district and Broward County on several budget line items.
State Rep. Shevrin Jones
District 101