Must be nice to be the king. House Speaker Steve Crisafulli said as much when he unexpectedly declared Sine Die for the Florida House.
House Speaker Steve Crisafulli/Photo courtesy of Steve Crisafulli’s Twitter page
As quoted by the Orlando Sentinel, Crisafulli said that his reasoning for adjourning three days early is the Senate’s fault, not his.
“The Senate continues to assert their demand that we agree to expand Medicaid. I don’t call that negotiating where I come from.”
If you’re wondering, Crisafulli comes from Merritt Island, or he at least represents Merritt Island in the Florida House.
Anyway, this impasse all stems from the two chambers inability to forge a compromise on Medicaid expansion. Senate President Andy Gardiner wants it, along with the majority of the Senate, but Republicans in the House refuse to bring a good dish to the company potluck.
House Republicans aren’t moving on even the possibility of expanding Medicaid, and because of that, Florida’s budget is stuck in the air.
Senate President Andy Gardiner/Photo courtesy of the Orlando Sentinel
So is the possibility of not having one. That would be a violation of the state’s constitution, so the legislature will likely try again in late May or early June.
Because no budget was passed, both chambers will return for a special session.
But not before enough blame gets passed around to cover everybody.
Outside of no budget deal, there wasn’t a lot accomplished this time around. Prior to session’s start, there were a number of bills and issues discussed that may get rammed through. Guns on campus, expanded gambling, police body cameras, prison reform and much more.
So no handkerchief drop and not many smiles and backslapping. All because of healthcare and Medicaid, I guess.
-JH
Today, Floridians are SHOCKED and DISAPPOINTED that @SteveCrisafulli & @MyFLHouse would #SineDie… Its time to #closethegap
— Organize Now (@OrgNow) April 28, 2015
#Florida cartoon: Homer on the @MyFLHouse #sayfie #FlaPol pic.twitter.com/Qn1NLCoS6L
— Andy Marlette (@AndyMarlette) April 28, 2015
“All my friends are dead.” #SineDie pic.twitter.com/fTjC9bBDFu
— Morgan McCord (@MorganMcCord) April 28, 2015
And that just happened #sinedie
— Bob Cortes (@CortesBob) April 28, 2015
Extremely disappointed in the decision to #SineDie without working on our budget or offering expanded access to health care for FL. #sayfie
— Amanda Murphy (@AmandaMurphyFL) April 28, 2015
So sad that politics has brought #session2015 to an end. I am disappointed! Today is a sad day for the ppl of FL and the 800K uninsured!
— Shevrin Jones (@ShevrinJones) April 28, 2015
House Democrats say – We’re here – Lets get back to work ! #Sayfie pic.twitter.com/78LsbCt5vW
— Dwight Dudley (@DwightDudleyFL) April 28, 2015
If you want more politics, well, because who doesn’t, click the links below.
No bastions of glory for Freddie Gray
House Republicans still refusing to budge on Medicaid expansion
Greater Orlando Cares hosts Jazz in the Hills International Jazz Day this Thursday
The post Florida House hightails it home, leaving state budget in limbo appeared first on Jason Henry Project.