State House, Senate May Conflict Over Prison Oversight
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TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (CBSMiami/AP) — The Florida House and Senate may soon be at odds over how to manage the state's scandal-plagued prison system.
A Senate committee approved a bill Wednesday to create an independent oversight commission for the Department of Corrections. Meanwhile, minority Democrats in the House said Thursday that House Republican leaders reject that idea.
Rep. Darryl Rousson — the ranking Democrat on the House criminal justice appropriations subcommittee — says the House will budget more money for prison staffing, training, food and medical care.
The prison system has been rocked by a rash of inmate deaths and allegations that investigations into possible wrongdoing were squelched.
A spokesman for House Speaker Steve Crisafulli responded that House Republicans haven't yet proposed a prison bill.
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