Florida Gov. Rick Scott signs state budget in private, with little notice

Gov. Rick Scott signed the new state budget in the privacy of his Capitol office Tuesday — the first time in memory that a Florida governor took that important annual step in secret.

Scott’s press office said it would “send out pictures” of the event and that Scott would be available to answer questions following a Cabinet meeting Tuesday morning.

Gov. Rick Scott is withdrawing his injunction against the Obama administration over federal health money, but there’s no plan to drop the lawsuit anytime soon, according to court documents filed Tuesday.Gov. Rick Scott is withdrawing his injunction against the Obama administration over federal health money, but there’s no plan to drop the lawsuit anytime soon, according to court documents filed Tuesday. | COURTESY FLORIDA OFFICE OF THE GOVERRNORA public budget signing gives the governor a chance to use the bully pulpit to tout the positive elements of it — more money for schools, tax cuts and the like. Scott’s office released his daily schedule at 8:24 a.m. saying he would be signing the “Keep Florida Working” budget at 8:30 a.m.

The $78.7 billion budget includes $207 more per-pupil in Florida public schools and a tax cut package worth about $430 million. The new fiscal year begins July 1.

No word came from his office on line-item vetoes.

Scott has signed previous budgets at The Villages, a retirement community in Central Florida; at an elementary school in St. Johns County; and last year at a small silk screening business in Panama City. This time, he opted for the sanctity of his Capitol office, surrounded by aides and a photographer.

This story was originally published June 23, 2015 at 9:44 AM with the headline "Florida Gov. Rick Scott signs state budget in private, with little notice."