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Floor debate on the states record 78.6 billion dollar budget began today. Florida schools will see record funding in the new state budget, but as Mike Vasilinda tells us, property owners will pick up the tab for the increased spending.

There will be 30 thousand new students in Florida schools next year. The increase kept lawmakers from approving the highest per pupil spending in state history, Rep. Erik Fresen, R-Miami, says they had to settle for the highest total ever.  “The FEFP budget increases funds for students by three percent. Which is a two hundred and six dollar and fifty two cent per student increase” Fresen said from the House Floor.

But the increase comes at the expense of local property taxes. Of the nearly 800 million increase Florida schools will see, two of every three dollars will come from local property taxes. Rep. Jose Rodriguez (D-Miami) asked pointed questions on the House Floor. “So when we talk about increases in education funding, really what we are talking about is the lions share of that coming from local funds” says Rodriguez.

The budget debate is taking place nearly two months later than it should have. A legislative meltdown in April over hospital funding was resolved with 400 million in state money and hard feelings over the failure to expand healthcare to the working poor.

All eyes are now on the Governor, who didn’t get the level of tax cuts or education funding that he wanted, and who has threatened massive vetoes in the past.”

And he has plenty to choose from. Lawmakers added three hundred million in local projects at the 11th hour. The Senate Budget Chairman all but made a plea to the governor not to be vindictive.

“What I;ve learned over time is that there are vetoes of principle, and then there are vetoes that are merely a state of mind” says Lee.

After a final vote on Friday, Rick Scott will have until the end of June to sign or reject the spending items.

A final vote on the budget can’t take place until late tomorrow afternoon in the Senate and early evening in the House.