Gov. Scott Vows To End Budget Impasse

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) _ Florida Gov. Rick Scott is promising to help work on a new state budget after the annual legislative session wrapped up this week without Republican leaders reaching a budget deal.

A shutdown of state government could happen if legislators can’t pass a budget by June 30.

Scott said Thursday that legislators should work on a budget that assumes Florida will lose more than $1 billion in federal aid for hospitals.

He also said that he remains opposed to expanding Medicaid.

The Senate and House are at odds because Senate leaders back expanding health care coverage to 800,000 Floridians. They say the expansion is needed because of the likely loss of the federal hospital money.

The governor also said he hopes any budget discussion includes the possibility of tax cuts.