Gov. Rick Scott says he’ll “be surprised” if the Florida Senate rejects the proposal to privatize correctional facilities in Central and South Florida as a vote is expected Tuesday.

Senators narrowly kept alive the bill on Monday when they rejected an amendment -- proposed by Sen. Mike Fasano, R-New Port Richey -- to the bill, SB 2038, that would potentially postpone any action this session by requiring a time-consuming study.

“It’s up to the Senate.  I think every senator got elected to do what I’m doing, that’s to save taxpayers’ money,” Scott said speaking during the Viva 500 reception, on the 22nd floor of the Capitol, that followed the Senate session on Monday.

“There is a lot of significant cost savings there. So I’ll be surprised if the Senate doesn’t do the right thing. But they’ll have to talk to their individuals that elected them.”

The bill proposes to bid at least 26 correctional facilities, impacting nearly 4,000 state workers, with a projected savings starting at $16.5 million a year.

“There is an opportunity to save money, to put more money in education, in programs we care about,” Scott said. “We’ll see what happens.”



Reach Jim Turner at jturner@sunshinestatenews.com or at 772-215-9889.