Governor Scott to Unveil Spending Plan for 2013

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) _ Florida Gov. Rick Scott is unveiling his spending priorities for the coming year.

The Republican governor is scheduled to announce his budget recommendations on Thursday.

State lawmakers will use the proposed budget as a framework for a final budget that will be passed during the annual session that starts in March.

Scott has already announced some spending items, including his push to give a $2,500 across the board pay raise to every schoolteacher.

Republican legislative leaders have already expressed some skepticism over the proposal.

The governor’s budget will likely include some spending reductions, including the elimination of some state jobs, as well as money to cover tax cuts the governor wants adopted.

Scott, however, is not expected to announce whether or not he will accept federal aid to expand Medicaid.