TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) - Legislative leaders have delayed budget
negotiations between the Florida House and Senate until they get
closer to agreeing on several issues.
Talks had been scheduled Monday, but were put on hold by House
Speaker Larry Cretul and Senate President Jeff Atwater.
The chambers still disagree on the overriding issues of how big
the budget should be, where the money should come from and how much
should be allocated to big-money areas such as education and health
care.
The Senate's $65.6 billion budget for the fiscal year starting
July 1 is more than a half billion dollars higher than the House
version. The Senate bill also includes a tobacco tax increase not
in the House plan and more money from gambling.