Oral Arguments in Prison Privatization Appeal Rescheduled

A new date has been set for the oral arguments in the states appeal of Circuit Judge Jackie Fulfords ruling that the Legislature violated the state Constitution by placing prison privatization in the 2011-2012 state budget.

Due to a prior engagement on the part of the states general counsel, Jon Glogau, the arguments have been moved from June 13 to June 27.

The state contends Fulford was wrong to rule that the Legislature in 2011 exceeded its authority by including a proviso in the state budget that required the Department of Corrections to accept bids from companies seeking to privatize state prisons. The proviso would have allowed 29 Central and South Florida prisons to be changed from public to private if the contracts saved at least 7 percent from current prison costs.

Fulford didnt object to the state privatizing prisons, just how the legislation was enacted.

In February, 10 Senate Republicans broke ranks to help Democrats defeat a stand-alone bill to advance the plan to privatize the correctional facilities.