TALLAHASSEE, Fla.
The Florida Legislature passed an $82.4 billion state budget on Monday evening, officially ending its 2017 legislative session three days behind schedule. The budget failed to include requested funding for three of Gov. Rick Scott’s biggest priorities and saw the reduction of Visit Florida’s annual budget to just $25 million.
Gov. Rick Scott continues to be a strong proponent of Visit Florida’s role in increasing tourism across the state of Florida and had asked for a $100 million budget. In 2016, the DMO had a budget of $76 million.
As previously reported, Gov. Rick Scott has the ability to veto the entire budget, or more likely, do a line-item veto of the items that he most disagrees with. Scott has already hinted at a full or partial veto.
More information on the Florida Legislature’s vote is available via the Miami Herald.
