Topic: Tax cuts

Gov. Rick Scott received 58 bills Thursday. He has 15 days to sign or veto the bills before they would automatically become law.

Flush with cash, Florida legislators approved a record state budget that increases money for child welfare and schools and included a half-billion dollar tax cut but failed to agree to regulatory structure for telemedicine or expand scope of practice for nurse practitioners before ending a 60-day session Friday night.

The last $105 million of Gov. Rick Scott's goal of $500 million in tax and fee cuts was passed by lawmakers on Day 60 of the 60-day legislative session.

HB 7095 provides a process for sports teams and venues to apply for tax rebates to build new stadiums or upgrade current facilities.

The chambers reached a deal to trim $105 million in taxes but left out of the package were a reduction in a communications tax and a break for the Daytona International Speedway.

Remember the House auto-reader in 2013? Or the epic early morning end to the 2011 session? Rep. Perry Thurston, House Democratic leader, says a meltdown is possible if the Senate doesn't pass the in-state tuition bill. AP Writer Gary Fineout points to other bills that could cause problems. But others say they don't see it happening. "Nah -- all is well," House Speaker Will Weatherford said.

Environmental funding for the Indian River Lagoon, higher education funding formulas and conflicting tax cut packages mark some of the biggest difference between the House and Senate as the session winds to a close.

The chambers embarked on the budget conference process Monday night as they haggle over how to spend about $75 billion in the 2014-2015 fiscal year.

Much of the "work plan" put forth by both House Speaker Will Weatherford and Senate President Don Gaetz has either been accomplished or is on track. But two big-ticket items favored by Weatherford - expansion of vouchers and a move to push most new state workers into a defined contribution pension system - have hit turbulence in the Senate as session enters its final two weeks.

The House and Senate are still wrangling on how to cut up to $105 million in taxes. Lawmakers have already passed a $395-million cut in vehicle registration fees and now the debate is over a variety of carve-outs for industries or a broad-based cut for people.

The chambers' spending plans are closer than in recent years as lawmakers enjoy a $1.2 billion projected surplus. The differences will be worked out over the next several weeks. Lawmakers have until early May to pass a spending plan.

Sales tax holidays, a corporate income tax break and tax credits for defense contractors are all in play as lawmakers draft plans to reach Gov. Rick Scott's goal of $500 million in tax and fee cuts.

Gov. Rick Scott signed his main legislative priority into law Wednesday, a $395 million per year cut in vehicle registration and driver's license fees that takes effect Sept. 1.

Wednesday marks Day 30 of the 2014 legislative session, and lawmakers are tempering their push for many controversial issues during an election year.