TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) - Florida legislators racing against the clock on a new state budget have reached a deal on money for hospitals.
House and Senate budget negotiators on Friday signed off on a $2 billion plan to steer money to more than 200 hospitals around the state. The proposal relies on $400 million in state tax dollars to replace federal aid that is expected to end this summer.
Legislators couldn't reach a budget deal during their regular session because they were at odds on how to replace the hospital money.
The new deal removes a major obstacle to finalizing a new state budget. State government would be partially shut down if a new budget isn't passed by the end of June.
Budget negotiators plan to work over the weekend to resolve remaining differences in school spending and environmental programs.
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