Senate Prez Says Budget Vote Could Happen Friday
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TALLAHASSEE (CBSMiami/NSF) - With negotiations still ongoing, Senate President Andy Gardiner said Monday he expects lawmakers will be able to vote Friday on a budget and end a special legislative session
Gardiner's comments came after Senate Appropriations Chairman Tom Lee and House Appropriations Chairman Richard Corcoran agreed during the weekend on issues such as environmental funding.
Gardiner said he hopes copies of the budget will hit lawmakers' desks Tuesday, starting the clock on a 72-hour "cooling off" period before they can vote.
"We're not done yet,'' he said. "There's still going to be some hiccups. Today will be a long day."
The special session, which started June 1st and could last through Saturday, was called because lawmakers failed to pass a budget during the spring legislative session.
The state's 2015-16 fiscal year starts July 1st.
The News Service of Florida contributed to this report.