What exactly it is remains unclear.
Lawmakers will return to the Statehouse Wednesday morning to vote a second time on the budget and property tax bills that Scott vetoed June 6. After previously praising the budget proposal, Scott withdrew his support late in the session when lawmakers rejected his plan to save money by negotiating a statewide teachers’ health insurance contract. Ashe and Johnson tried to craft counterproposals that would save money without the statewide contract but failed to get Scott’s support during last-minute discussions at the end of the session.
Scott administration officials and key lawmakers took a break from negotiations after the legislature adjourned May 19, resuming conversations Thursday. The two sides met repeatedly during the past week, but it wasn’t until hours before the entire legislature was slated to return that they reached a deal.
Details of the compromise were scant, however. Officials said that fiscal and legal staff were reviewing the bill and promised to provide more information at a press conference Wednesday morning. The House and Senate are expected to vote on the proposal later Wednesday.
Scott said the deal includes guaranteed savings that would go to state property taxpayers in 2018. “It’s many millions of dollars,” he said, but not as much as the $13 million he had previously insisted could be saved next fiscal year.
It’s still possible the legislature will vote on a revised marijuana legalization bill this week. Scott, who vetoed lawmakers’ previous attempt, told reporters Tuesday that his staff and legislative leaders were close to a compromise on that legislation. “I wouldn’t be surprised,” he said of reaching a deal.
Terri Hallenbeck contributed reporting to this story.
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If a vague deal in principle only was reached on Tuesday, which the legislature has yet to see, it is wholly irresponsible for them to vote on it 24hours later on Wednesday. Who knows when in the next 12hours the draft will be available to legislators (god forbid the public see it, voice concern, or questions).
Where is the vetting?
Where is the responsibility?
Where are the grown ups?
@ Jinga:
Even during the regular legislative session, do you think most legislators, besides the leadership and a few committee members, have any idea what’s in or not in most bills they’re voting on, especially the state budget? I believe that before the legislature votes on this deal, the rank and file members will have as much or more information on it than they do on any bill they ever vote on during the regular session.