“We will have additional dollars to decide what to do. Meaning it dealt with an issue (in this case the budget) that did not directly relate to the reason lawmakers had been called back to Tallahassee for a special session.Įskamani said even though her amendment couldn’t be heard during special session, she hopes diverting some of those funds for mental health is an issue lawmakers keep in mind as they prepare for the next legislative session. “That would have diverted the funding from the compact, assuming it were to pass and be approved, that would go toward mental health and substance abuse prevention,” Eskamani said, explaining what her amendment would have done.Įskamani's amendment was ruled beyond the scope of the call.

Anna Eskamani (D-Orlando), and a few of her Democratic colleagues, filed amendments during the special session to try to firm that up before lawmakers signed onto the deal. As lawmakers considered a gambling deal with the Seminole Tribe that will result in about $500 million of new revenue each year, many wondered how that money would be used.

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