Florida is appealing a judge’s September ruling that struck down its attempt to privatize 29 of the state’s prisons.
Leon County Circuit Judge Jackie Fulford ordered efforts to seek a private contractor to cease, after ruling that lawmakers unconstitutionally inserted “proviso” language in the state budget to accomplish privatization instead of passing a bill vetted through the normal committee review process.
Gov. Rick Scott, who left the language in the budget he signed, decided against appealing the judge’s ruling.
Top legislative officials, however, requested that Attorney General Pam Bondi file the appeal. Bondi filed the appeal Monday, though the Legislature was not party to the original case.
A correctional officers’ union filed suit against the privatization and won.
