Scott’s announcement came during a lengthy day of debate over the spending plans on both sides of the Capitol. With the Senate passing its budget Wednesday and the House poised to approve its proposal Thursday, the two chambers will be positioned to start negotiations on a final spending plan.
Senators plowed through roughly four-dozen amendments dealing with everything from funding for an anti-death penalty prosecutor in Central Florida to how to combat the state’s opioid epidemic.
Discussions in the chamber grew personal at times, particularly as Sen. Tom Lee, who chaired the Senate Appropriations Committee last year, clashed with his successor, Sen. Jack Latvala, over how much money was set aside in the budget for reserves and for negotiations with the House.
“I don’t remember having this kind of detail when you were the appropriations chairman,” Latvala, R-Clearwater, said at one point. “We have to obviously have a little flexibility as we go into conference.”
“I’m about to vote on an appropriations bill, and I think I have a right to know what’s in it,” responded Lee, R-Thonotosassa.