Only House Dem Who Backed Budget Explains Vote

While 43 of the 44 Democrats in the Florida House opposed the final budget on Friday, Rep. Darryl Rouson of St. Petersburg broke ranks and supported the measure.

On the last day of a tumultuous 60 day session filled with highs and lows; filled with days of bad bills resurrecting and nights of good bills dying with very little rhyme or reason, I cast the lone Democratic vote in the Florida House in favor of the budget," said Rouson. "I did so with a heavy heart and a call to conscience."

Rouson listed a number of measures where he supported the Democrats-opposing offshore drilling expolration, SB 6 and Republican efforts to mandate ultrasounds for women considering having abortions.

"I voted in favor of a very flawed budget with many shortcomings," he said. "As the Ranking Democratic Member of the House Criminal and Civil Justice Appropriations Committee I was given unprecedented opportunity to provide input, to prioritize and shape the $4 billion precious dollars under my charge. I was able to directly influence Substance Abuse Treatment dollars, save money in Department of Corrections by continuing prison diversion beds, defend the Public Defenders from huge drastic cuts, and restored dollars to the Guardian Ad Litem budget."