BREAKING: Florida Joint Legislative Budget Commission Approves Prison Health Privatization

At approximately 1:32 p.m., a majority of members of theFlorida Joint Legislative Budget Commission voted to approve privatization of health services in three-fourths of the state's prisons. The vote fell along party lines, with Democratic Sens. Nan Rich and Gary Siplin and Democratic Reps. Charles Chestnut and Darryl Rouson voting against it. The six Republican participants at the meeting voted for it.

Spokeswoman Ann Howard of the Department of Corrections immediately issued a statement praising the decision:

"The Department appreciates the Legislative Budget Committee along with all lawmakers and their efforts in this matter. The governors support has been invaluable. This is a good fiscal decision that just makes sense for Florida. We plan to proceed with the process, with the goal of having the vendors in place by January 2013."

More to come ...