TALLAHASSEE, FL - The Florida House is proposing a nearly $69.2 billion state budget for the coming year that calls for higher college tuition and state worker layoffs while including more money for schools.
The House rolled out its spending plan Friday and will have to reconcile it with the Senate. The House budget is larger than one proposed last month by Gov. Rick Scott.
House Republicans are supporting Scott's push to spend $1 billion more for public schools, but they have rejected Scott's call for deep cuts to hospitals.
The House also wants to set aside some money for the annual back-to-school sales tax holiday. A House panel this week approved a bill that calls for a two-day holiday in August.
The proposed budget covers spending from July 2012 through June 2013.
Associated Press