1 of 1 Photo: Joe Raedle / Getty Images News / Getty Images
(Tallahassee, FL) - More than a month after the regular session ended without passing a budget, lawmakers are back in Tallahassee to try again.
Both chambers re-passed spending bills advanced during the regular session relating to health care, education and the environment. House Speaker Daniel Perez says formal negotiations on the final details of the spending plan will begin this afternoon.
Perez has warned the deliberations “could take over a month,” but hopes they wrap up over the “next couple of weeks” as scheduled.
During regular session the House passed a 113-billion dollar spending plan and the Senate advanced a 115-billion dollar proposal. Over the next few weeks, lawmakers must work together to meet in the middle and then hope the governor signs the spending plan.
The fiscal year ends July 1st.
Perez says lawmakers are “making progress,” but he laments the friction that exists between Governor Ron DeSantis and the House and Senate. He says in fact he says it's "sad" that the governor has yet to take his call.