© 2024 All Rights reserved WUSF
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Education Showdown: Lawmakers Agree On Dollar Amount, Not Approach

Nick Evans
Credit Nick Evans

With time running out in this week’s special session, state lawmakers have lined up a showdown over education funding.  Both chambers are planning final votes Friday. 

In a flurry of hearings, state lawmakers have pushed medical marijuana, economic development, tourism and education bills to the House and Senate floor.  But paying for the education bill could put the other measures in jeopardy.

Sen. Jack Latvala (R-Clearwater) is pushing an approach that would require overriding the governor’s school funding veto.

“It’s the same amount of money,” Latvala sputters.  “It’s easy—all they have to do is override the veto, vote on our bill and you have half of what we came her to do done.”

The governor made the veto to force lawmakers to appropriate more money.  The Senate has already voted for the override—which would maintain original funding—and sent a supplemental funding package to the floor.  

But the House favors covering increases with money from member projects the governor struck from the budget.  

Copyright 2020 WFSU. To see more, visit WFSU.

Nick Evans came to Tallahassee to pursue a masters in communications at Florida State University. He graduated in 2014, but not before picking up an internship at WFSU. While he worked on his degree Nick moved from intern, to part-timer, to full-time reporter. Before moving to Tallahassee, Nick lived in and around the San Francisco Bay Area for 15 years. He listens to far too many podcasts and is a die-hard 49ers football fan. When Nick’s not at work he likes to cook, play music and read.
You Count on Us, We Count on You: Donate to WUSF to support free, accessible journalism for yourself and the community.