Gov. Scott's $87.4 billion budget plan calls for more spending, few tax cuts
TALLAHASSEE — Gov. Rick Scott released an $87.4 billion budget proposal Tuesday heavy on increases and light on tax cuts, a significant departure from spending plans he’s pushed for in the past.
Scott’s budget plan, a $2.4 billion increase over this year, includes $21.4 billion for K-12 schools, or $7,497 in per-student funding, about $200 more than the current year. He also calls for $50 million to combat opioid addiction, $1.7 billion for environmental projects and adding 565 new state jobs, mostly to hire new prison guards.
The budget proposal is the last one for the term-limited Scott, who is considering a run for U.S. Senate next year. At a news conference in Jacksonville, he touted the tax cuts and spending increases for schools that he has supported in years past, saying they were the reason for the state’s economic turnaround on his watch.
“In the seven years that I have served as governor, we have consistently invested record funding in what’s most important to Florida families,” he said. “These accomplishments have helped secure future success and prosperity.”
Read more: http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/politics/political-pulse/os-gov-scott-budget-proposal-20171114-story.html