TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) - The Florida House is moving ahead with a $69.2 billion budget that raises college tuition and eliminates thousands of state jobs but provides more money for the state's public schools.
A House panel on Wednesday voted along partisan lines in favor of a proposed budget that also keeps intact low health insurance premiums for thousands of state workers including most legislators and Gov. Rick Scott. Scott has recommended ending the perk and requiring all employees to pay the same for health insurance.
The budget vote came after a group of Jefferson County residents pleaded with lawmakers to spare a state prison targeted for closing by the Scott administration. They told legislators the closing would devastate the local economy, but House Republicans voted down a proposal to save it.
(Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
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