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Governor Rick Scott today unveiled his budget for the year that starts in July. He’s proposing one point two billion more for schools, as well as bonuses for state employees and more spending on universities. However, even with the increase for schools, per student spending will be lower than the four years before Scott took office.

Rick Scott began his budget unveiling by applauding an improving economy, comparing it to the four years before he took office. “Florida lost 825 thousand jobs”, says Governor.

Scott proposes spending 68 hundred dollars per student. That’s a four hundred dollar increase in  per student funding. Still the 68 hundred is less than the four years before he took office. “This billion dollar investment sustains last year’s billion dollar investment in K-12”, says Governor Scott.

While per  student funding is still lagging, this budget sets a records for spending in K-12. 20 thousand new students will hit classrooms next year eating a lot of the new money. Scott wants to give teachers an across the board 25 hundred dollar raise. Teachers say it is better than nothing. “It’s a beginning we’re way behind I think where we should be in public education”, says David Worrell a Leon County teacher.

Scott would cut the state work force by three thousand, using the savings to offer one time 12 hundred dollar bonuses. Police unions say the Governor’s plan doesn’t go far enough. “They have taken a five percent cut if you add the contribution to the retirement system plus the two percent payroll tax. So we would like to see an increase to their base salary”, says Matt Puckett, Florida Police Benevolent Association.

And when it comes to tuition. “I don’t think tuition should be going up”, says Governor Scott. Universities say a proposed 118 million in new cash will keep them from seeking tuition hikes. “That’s a bargain the presidents and Board of Governors are willing to make”, says Bernie Machen, UF President.

Scott also wants to cut taxes for manufacturing equipment. He says it’s a way to keep the economy humming.