The hanky has dropped and sine die is here once more. The 2016 Florida Legislature came to a close Friday evening, passing Florida’s $82 billion budget for the 2016-2017 fiscal year.
The Florida Legislature officially adjourned just before 7 p.m.
“This started the first week [with the water bill and the Gardiner scholarship,]” said Sen. President Andy Gardiner, R-Orlando, speaking at the Capitol Rotunda after the two chambers adjourned.
The 2016-2017 budget includes a wide variety of increases in several areas, but is significantly scaled back from Gov. Rick Scott’s original budget proposal, which means the governor’s red veto pen could scribble across the budget should he so choose.
One of the largest portions of the budget will be dedicated towards Florida’s education system -- the state’s public school budget was increased to $453 million, a slight increase (one percent) from last year’s budget.
Florida’s per-pupil spending will amount to $7,178.49, which is slightly less money than recommended by Gov. Rick Scott.
State universities and schools will also receive a significant chunk of the 2016-2017 budget for construction projects, with $700 million set aside for university, college and school building projects.
When it came to teacher incentives, one of the most hotly-contested items which squeezed its way into next year’s budget was the Best and Brightest teacher scholarship program, which received $44 million for next year. Under the program, the state would give bonuses to “highly effective” teachers who scored in the top 20 percent on the SAT or ACT college admissions test.
That program came under fire from some lawmakers and teachers who said it was unfair and didn’t make much sense to reward teachers for old test scores.
In terms of the environment, state lawmakers set $132 million aside to pay for Everglades restoration and an extra $57 million for waterways north of the Everglades.
Environmental groups lauded the passage of Amendment 1 funding, saying they hoped Gov. Scott would throw his support behind the measure.
“As this good measure heads to the Governor for his signature, we remain hopeful that he too will support this dedicated use of Amendment 1 funding that will allow the state to expedite planning and construction of critical restoration projects to significantly reduce damaging discharges from Lake Okeechobee into the Caloosahatchee and St. Lucie rivers,” said Erik Eikenberg, Everglades Foundation CEO.
When it came to tax cuts, state legislators ultimately set aside less money than Scott anticipated and House Republicans originally proposed. State lawmakers also approved a three-day back-to-school tax holiday as well as a permanent elimination of a sales tax for manufacturing equipment.
Gov. Scott’s massive $250 million proposal for Enterprise Florida, which Scott said would bring jobs and businesses to the Sunshine State, did not get its place in the budget, either. The enterprise proposal was probably Scott’s biggest push during this year’s legislative session, and he repeatedly brought up the pitch as state lawmakers duked it out in Tallahassee.
Should Scott decide to veto portions of the budget, the Florida Legislature would need two-thirds vote to override his veto.
This is a breaking story. Check back for updates.
