This morning, Florida Gov. Rick Scott, Senate President Joe Negron, and House Speaker Richard Corcoran held a joint press conference in Miami to announce that the governor will sign the $82.4 billion budget, with $410 million of vetoes for certain member projects and portions pertaining to K-12 education funding.
Additionally, Gov. Scott is also vetoing HB 5501, which decreased funding to Visit Florida by over 60 percent.
The governor’s full budget veto list will be released later today.
There will be a special session next week, June 7-9, to address the following issues:
Funding for Florida’s K-12 students through the FEFP
Gov. Scott is calling on the Florida Legislature to provide an additional $215 million to K-12 education than previously authorized. This would increase the per-student funding by $100.
Florida Job Growth Grant Fund
Gov. Scott is proposing to establish the new Florida Job Growth Grant Fund to promote public infrastructure and individual job training, which will encourage more businesses to choose Florida as a destination to grow jobs. Gov. Scott is calling on the Florida Legislature to fund it at $85 million.
Increase Visit Florida funding
The governor is calling on lawmakers to pass legislation that funds Visit Florida at a total of $76 million, and includes comprehensive transparency and accountability measures at the organization.
The governor did not include medical marijuana in the call for a special session, but the House and Senate are still discussing this issue, and are suggesting lawmakers are prepared to expand the call to address the implementation of the constitutional amendment approved by the voters during the 2016 election.
If you have any questions about the budget or special session and how this may impact your business, please contact any member of Gunster's government affairs law & lobbying team.
