Court budget delayed.

Legislative leaders were still hammering out a state budget, including one for the judicial branch, for the 2017-18 fiscal year, as this Bar News went to press.

The session had been scheduled to end on May 5 but was extended when the House and Senate were unable to reach a final agreement by May 2. The Florida Constitution requires the budget to be finished, printed, and on legislators' desks 72 hours before they vote on it so they and the public have a chance to review details of the spending plan.

Senate President Joe Negron, R-Palm City, and House Speaker Richard Corcoran, R-Land O' Lakes, announced on May 2 they had reached an overall budget agreement, but details continued to be worked out in the ensuing days. The printed budget reached lawmakers mid-afternoon on Friday, May 5, the scheduled last day of the regular session and just hours before this News went to press. That meant lawmakers could not vote on the spending plan, including funding for the court system, until Monday, May 8.

The News will post a story at www. FloridaBar.org/News on the final court budget as soon...