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Florida Senate passes budget that wouldn't punish schools

Legislature has until March 8 to agree on budget
Tina Polsky
Rebecca Blackwell/AP
Florida State Sen. Tina Polsky speaks during a meeting of the Senate Judiciary Committee, as part of a special legislative session targeting COVID-19 vaccine mandates, Monday, Nov. 15, 2021, at the Capitol in Tallahassee, Fla. The Florida Senate unanimously passed a nearly $109 billion spending plan Thursday, Feb. 17, 2022, with virtually no debate the day after the House passed a $105 billion plan after two hours of contentious debate. Polsky thanked Senate colleagues for not trying to divert $200 million from 12 school districts that defied Gov. Ron DeSantis by imposing mask mandates last summer. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell, File)
Tina Polsky
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TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — 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.

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.

One big difference between the spending proposals is that the House wants to divert $200 million from 12 school districts that imposed mask mandates despite an order by the governor not to.

The Senate budget wouldn't punish the districts.

(Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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