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Scott proposes more money for education

By Lynn Hatter

http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wfsu/local-wfsu-996615.mp3

Tallahassee, FL – More details in the governor's budget for education are emerging. The Governor is proposing a billion dollar increase for the state's public schools, but as Lynn Hatter reports the real impact is far less than that.

The Senate's Pre-K through 12 education committee says the governor's budget will help schools come close to breaking even next year. During the last legislative session, lawmakers cut 1.35-billion dollars from education and the governor is proposing giving most of that money back. Senator David Simmons says he's pleased with the governor's turnaround.

"I am just so proud of what the governor has done. I think it's a tremendous statement on his behalf as to his belief in the future of the state of Florida."

Scott's proposal replaces the loss of federal stimulus money and makes up for falling property taxes. But the state will still need to find another 335-million dollars to get education where it was before the earlier cuts. The proposal still falls about 800-dollars per student short of the state's peak funding levels five years ago.