Florida lawmakers are boosting education spending—though not by as much as they’d hoped. And they’re putting more into healthcare—a move they hadn’t planned for. Education and Healthcare spending compose the largest parts of the state budget—and as Lynn Hatter reports, trying to balance the two issues has been a struggle.
Caitie Switalski reports, with the state budget to be passed this evening, conservationists are upset over the way Amendment One funds were allocated. The state’s main land-buying program for conservation, Florida-Forever, was left with significantly fewer dollars than other conservation commissions – who are using their allotted funds for personnel.
Florida’s criminal justice budget issues cover a broad spectrum of agencies from Florida’s troubled prison system to the state’s courts system. As Sascha Cordner reports, while some areas of the budget got funded, other areas seen as priorities were lacking.
Florida’s budget for Transportation, Tourism and Economic Development hit a bumpy road near the beginning of the budgeting process. Things have smoothed out since then, though some concerns remain, But Regan McCarthy report it’s a budget leaders say they think lawmakers will be able to get behind.
Summer’s here and all over the state people are heading for the great outdoors for vacations, long weekends, or day trips. Florida is full of places worth visiting and this summer Capitol Report is going to share stories from some of the best parks, forests and beaches. We kick off this week in Tallahassee’s back yard. Nick Evans visited the Apalachicola National Forest, to see protected wildflowers and carnivorous plants.