TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP/WTXL) - Florida legislative leaders are at a "stalemate" over a new state budget with time running out.
The first but crucial round of negotiations between the House and Senate broke down Sunday. Legislators have less than two weeks left in their annual session.
The divide prompted Republican House Speaker Richard Corcoran to lash out at fellow Republicans in the Senate, comparing them to national Democratic leaders Nancy Pelosi and Bernie Sanders. Corcoran said there was "no limits to their liberalism."
WTXL's political contributor Ed Moore has more on whether they will be able to reach a decision.
"As of June 30th the authorization for the state to spend money goes away. The Governor has some limited up to after that point," said Dr. Moore. "The Legislature must pass a budget in order for state Government to function out through July 1st."
The House and Senate have a $4 billion difference in their rival spending plans.
Legislative leaders have been trying to come up with a broad budget deal that would spell out how much would be spent in key areas.
The new state budget needs to be in place by July 1.
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