Senate Democrats Sue Florida House Over Abrupt Session End
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TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (CBSMiami/AP) — Democrat's in the Florida Senate filed a lawsuit against the Florida House over its abrupt end to the 2015 legislative session.
The House adjourned earlier in the week due to a disagreement with the Senate over health care spending and Medicaid expansion. The session was scheduled to end Friday.
Democrats want the Florida Supreme Court to order House members back for the final day. Democrats maintain House leaders violated the state constitution by leaving early.
The constitution reads that neither chamber can adjourn for more than 72 hours without an agreement between the House and Senate.
Senate Democratic Leader Arthenia Joyner called the departure of House members "unacceptable." She said Democrats filed the emergency petition to make sure that similar actions are not taken in the future.
State legislators are ending their regular session without passing a new state budget.
Senate President Andy Gardiner has proposed legislators return in June.
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