Fla. Gov. unveils $74.2 billion spending plan

Florida Gov. Rick Scott is recommending a $74.2 billion budget for the coming year.

The Republican governor on Thursday unveiled a budget that includes a pay raise for school teachers as well as a $1,200 one-time bonus for state workers.

"Our Families First budget puts Florida's families first by doubling down on our investment on K-12 education," said Scott. "This billion dollar investment sustains last year's billion dollar investment in K-12 and puts another $1.2 billion in Florida classrooms."

Scott wants almost $300 million of the proposed increase to cover pension obligations, but teachers can still expect a bigger paycheck.

"The biggest and most important funding commitment is this record breaking state commitment, $480 million commitment, to give each classroom teacher a $2,500 pay raise," he said.

Scott is also recommending eliminating nearly 4,000 state jobs, primarily by privatizing positions in the state prison system, and wants to freeze university tuition this year.

Scott did not recommend whether or not Florida should accept federal aid to expand Medicaid to people who are just above the poverty line. He said that he is still unsure on whether the state should move ahead.

State lawmakers will use Scott's proposal as a framework for a final budget that will be passed during the session that starts in March.

Senate Democratic Leader Chris Smith (D-Fort Lauderdale) issued a statement Thursday after hearing Scott's proposal.