TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) - Florida legislators have a deal on a new state budget that would allow them to avoid a shutdown of the state government.
Republican budget negotiators late Monday night traded final offers on a nearly $80 billion spending plan. The agreement means legislators should be able to vote the budget out later this week.
House and Senate budget chiefs were able to reach a final deal by adding roughly $300 million for hometown projects into the budget. Much of the money went to top priorities of House Speaker Steve Crisafulli and Senate President Andy Gardiner.
Legislators usually pass a budget in the spring, but this year the House and Senate were at odds over health care and health care spending. They have to pass a budget by the end of June to avoid a shutdown.
(Copyright 2015 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
