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Lawmakers have officially ended 2015’s special legislative session with a state budget. Matt Galka breaks down the final moments.

The state legislature put a bow on 2015’s special session with the ceremonial hankey drop that usually ends regular sessions earlier in the year. The only reason they did it: to honor the Senate’s retiring Sergeant at Arms.

There were plenty of hugs and smiles even though session was unique.  A deep divide developed over Medicaid expansion. The Senate pushed for it. The House ultimately killed the idea.

“We come here knowing that we’ve got to work together get things done for out state. We had a job in front of us, and we all stood up for what we believed in. At the end of the day we were able to pass a balanced budget,” said House Speaker Steve Crisafulli.

Members from both chamber maintain there’s no hard feelings now that session is over.

“I don’t think there’s any ill will, you saw the comments made on each side today, things were respectful, everybody has their opinion, but you saw what happened. At the end of the day you have a bicameral process. People have different opinions. But that budget was a balanced budget and it passed bipartisan,” said Rep. Matt Hudson (R-Naples).

The budget ended up being close to $79 billion dollars.  Lingering issues like healthcare will need to be addressed in the future.

“Time is an ally here. And I think, over time, we’ll reset the clock, some of these issues still exist,” said Senate Budget Chief Tom Lee.

The Governor gets the final say. He’ll be wielding a veto pen and whittling down the budget before the current budget expires at the end of June.

As soon as session was over, committee meetings were announced for lawmakers ahead of next year’s legislative session. Everyone will be back at the Capitol in mid-September.