Florida Senate passes budget that wouldn't punish schools
Source: Associated Press
Florida Senate passes budget that wouldn’t punish schools
By BRENDAN FARRINGTON
February 17, 2022
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Let the Florida budget negotiations begin.
The Florida Senate unanimously passed a nearly $109 billion spending plan Thursday with virtually no debate the day after the House passed a $105 billion plan after two hours of contentious debate over whether to punish schools that had mask mandates last summer.
The two sides now have until March 8 to agree on a budget to send to Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis if they want to finish the annual 60-day session on time. The session ends on March 11, but lawmakers have to wait 72 hours to vote once the final budget is published.
One big difference between the spending proposals: The House, with support from DeSantis, wants to divert $200 million from 12 school districts that disobeyed the governor’s order to not impose mask mandates. The Senate budget wouldn’t punish the districts.
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Read more: https://apnews.com/article/business-education-florida-ron-desantis-a7d0d61bf291eb93ad8dc529956488a3