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Florida Gov. Rick Scott defends record-setting budget vetoes

Posted at 4:59 PM, Jun 05, 2017
and last updated 2017-06-05 16:59:26-04

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) -- Florida Gov. Rick Scott is defending his budget vetoes, which set a modern-day record.

Scott late last week vetoed nearly $11.9 billion from the new state budget as a part of a budget deal he worked out with legislative leaders.

Lawmakers will return later this week where they are expected to pass a new budget for public schools that will be higher than the one they adopted in early May.

Scott's veto total included much of the money that goes to public schools. But the governor also vetoed roughly 400 projects that were placed in the budget by legislators.

During a stop in Panama City, Scott maintained that his vetoes did not target any legislators who had upset him this year because they refused to set aside money for his top priorities.