While the 40-member Senate convened a rare emergency meeting to discuss Florida’s budget dilemma Tuesday — with more than 100 lobbyists, citizen activists and reporters attending — House Republicans took up the same issue behind closed doors.
To keep reporters and members of the public out, a legislative aide was posted at the door.
After the meeting, House Speaker Steve Crisafulli, R-Merritt Island, told reporters that the caucus discussed the major sticking points of this year’s legislative session: Medicaid expansion and the future of a federal hospital funding program known as the Low Income Pool.
“It was strictly a history lesson for our members,” Crisafulli said. “It was important for us to do it.”
But an Associated Press reporter overheard conversation from the closed door meeting and heard Crisafulli give the caucus strategic advice. “We’re asking you to trust us,” Crisafulli was heard telling members.
Later, he warned: “You’re going to get beat up by the press.”
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