Displaying items by tag: Tallahassee

Budget, controversy and a gubernatorial veto highlighted week six in the Capitol.  As the session hit the 2/3rd  point,  the House spent more hours than expected debating education reform, the budget conference is poised to begin, the governor vetoed a high profile bill and good public issues made steps closer to the governor’s desk.

The annual meeting of the Florida Legislature began on March 2.  By law the legislature meets on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in March.  This year’s session kicked off  with a bang.  The first bill out of the gate, Senate Bill 1666 by Senator Rudy Garcia of Miami, passed the House and Senate and went straight to the governor’s desk, all on the first day.  Governor Charlie Crist signed the bill as soon as it was delivered to him and he mentioned that fact during his annual State of the State address that evening.

The media gives extensive coverage to the Florida Legislature during the annual legislative session (which takes place starting the first Tuesday after the first Monday in March and proceeding for the next 60 calendar days).  However, many people are not aware that the Legislature does meet in its official capacity for many months leading up to the start of the regular legislative session.