Florida Legislature divided over budget and tax cuts

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) – The Florida Legislature has less than a month left in its regular session to reach a deal over a new state budget.

The House and Senate passed rival budgets on Thursday that are different in many key areas. The House has also set aside enough money for a large tax cut package.

It’s not clear if the Senate will go along with the House tax cut plans.

Sen. Tom Lee, the Senate budget chairman, said it would be “fiscally irresponsible” to pass a $1 billion tax cut package. The House has proposed cutting that much in taxes, but their bill would spread the cuts out over a two-and-a-half-year period.

The Senate passed its budget by a 40-0 vote. The House vote was 85-29, with many Democrats voting no.