“I know there is no way the House of Representatives will ever allow that to happen,” Latvala said. “So I know we will be done by July 1.”
Latvala’s prediction on the budget negotiations was part of his unvarnished commentary on the state of Tallahassee as seen through the eyes of a powerful, veteran lawmaker.
Latvala, who was edged out for the Senate presidency by Sen. Joe Negron, R-Stuart, after more than three years of maneuvering, said he came into the 2017 session with “high hopes” but is clearly disappointed with House leaders.
He ticked off a litany of issues including higher-education reforms, Everglades restoration, economic development, health care coverage and water policy as issues he says the state should be addressing.
“Instead unfortunately, we got involved in all-out assault on Florida’s economic-development apparatus,” Latvala said, referring to the House’s plan to abolish the economic-development agency Enterprise Florida and to sharply cut funding for tourism-marketer Visit Florida.
