Steve Crisafulli Adjourns Florida House, Budget Awaits Special Session

In an unexpected move on Tuesday. Florida House Speaker Steve Crisafulli, R-Merritt Island, adjourned his chamber ahead of the end of session on Friday. With differences over Medicaid expansion, the House and the Senate have yet to reach an agreement on a budget. On Tuesday, Crisafulli said a special session would be needed before the end of June

I want to thank the Florida House for their commitment to the 2015 Work Plan joint agenda with the Senate, Crisafulli said on Tuesday. The Florida House passed legislation that covered every principle in the joint plan. During session, the House worked tirelessly to implement the Work Plan developed in partnership with the Senate to pave a stronger future for Florida families.

Together, the Florida House passed bills to cut taxes by $690 million, create a comprehensive water policy bill, establish a transparent structure for Amendment 1 funding, reduce student testing while maintaining accountability (signed into law), lower tuition, strengthen families by promoting adoptions (on the governors desk), and secure pathways to economic independence for persons with disabilities, Crisafulli added. I firmly believe that each of these bills will greatly benefit Floridians.

Despite our differences on Medicaid expansion, it is noteworthy that the House and Senate appear to have found common ground on long contentious issues such as PSC reform, ALF reform, comprehensive Department of Corrections reform, mental health reform and grandparents rights (sent to the governor)," he said in closing. We look forward to returning to Tallahassee for a special session to complete our work on the budget prior to the July 1 deadline.