Gov. Rick Scott is ready to sign Florida’s $82 billion “Florida First Budget” into law for the 2016-2017 fiscal year.
The Florida Legislature said “sine die” and adjourned last week after reaching an agreement on the state’s $82 billion budget, with some of Gov. Rick Scott’s top priorities not making it into the state’s budget.
Gov. Scott praised Florida lawmakers for their work during this year’s legislative session, boasting a whopping $1 billion in tax cuts over the last two years as part of his Florida First Budget on Tuesday.
Approximately $252 million of this year’s tax cuts were recurring tax cuts from last year. This year’s budget cut an additional $557 million.
Those numbers, coupled with job growth, equaled a win in Scott’s book.
“We have achieved two major victories: we have added more than one million new jobs and have cut taxes by more than $1 billion,” said Scott. “My goal every day and for every legislative session is to improve the opportunities for families like mine growing up who struggled to find a good paying job.”
Scott praised big budget items like the state’s education budget, which received a massive $20.2 billion in funding for K-12 public education. Other priorities, like increasing funding for the Agency for Persons with Disabilities, were also major highlights of Scott’s Florida First Budget.
“I am proud that our Florida First budget invests record amounts of funding all across our state, including in our K-12 and higher education systems to ensure our students have the knowledge and skills to achieve their dreams; record investments to protect our springs so Florida remains the most pristine state in the nation; and record funding at the Agency for Persons with Disabilities to allow people with unique abilities to lead healthy and fulfilling lives,” Scott explained.
Tourism, an important part of Florida’s economy, was another highlight of Scott’s budget announcement. The state legislature set aside $76 million for VISIT Florida to help attract more tourists to the state.
Not every project set aside in the Florida Legislature’s budget made the cut, though. Scott brandished his red veto pen on a variety of projects, totaling $256 million.
Scott hasn’t received the budget yet, but promised to veto several projects when it arrives at his desk.
The biggest veto? $55 million for the State Economic Enhancement and Development Trust Fund Sweep. Other larger veto items were $8 million towards a foam insulation system replacement at Florida Southwestern College and $5 million towards the Private Land Owner Cost Share Assistance Program.
Scott also vetoed a $1.5 million project for a primary-care access program in Manatee, Sarasota and DeSoto Counties.
Many city projects also didn’t fare well, either. Scott vetoed several improvement projects in Florida cities.
Now, the Florida Legislature must decide when it will deliver the budget to Scott. If lawmakers wanted to, they could override Scott’s veto with a two-thirds vote from both chambers, but that scenario looks unlikely.
Sen. President Andy Gardiner, R-Orlando, seemed to be just fine with Scott’s budget proposal.
"His initial review appears very fair,” he said.
House Speaker Steve Crisafulli, R-Merritt Island, had positive words for Scott following the news of his budget approval and vetoes.
"This budget accomplishes two of Governor Scott's most important priorities; record funding for education and $1 billion in tax relief in the past two years. Governor Scott's leadership allowed us to reach that goal. I look forward to the Governor's final approval of the budget in the weeks to come."
"The state budget emerges from a process of conflict, debate, negotiation and compromise," said Speaker-Designate Richard Corcoran in a statement. "Although I do not agree with every decision he has made, the Governor’s vetoes provide an important check on the budget process. They serve as a reminder to the Legislature that, no matter how good our final product, we can always do better."
This is a breaking story. Check back for updates.
Reach reporter Allison Nielsen by email at allison@sunshinestatenews.com or follow her on Twitter: @AllisonNielsen.
