As the Florida Legislature finishes its second-chance 20-day special session, Kevin Cate has renewed his bet on when the 2015-2016 state spending plan will be approved.
As well as the final Sine Die of 2015.
Since June 1, lawmakers have hurried to fulfill their one duty under the Florida Constitution, to pass a budget by June 30. The special session was scheduled through June 20.
This time, #CateBudget, where the owner of public relations firm CateComm has a “little overtime fun” called for a best guess when the “last chamber” passes a budget estimated at nearly $80 billion.
Cate asked for a time and date posted on Twitter, with the hashtag #CateBudget.
Among the politicos tweeting in response to #CateBudget:
Former Republican state Sen. Paula Dockery (@Paula_Dockery): @KevinCate Darn missed the deadline. But I’ll say 16th at 3:45 #CateBudget
Sunshine State News reporter Allison Nielsen (@AllisonNielsen): Was this a bold #CateBudget prediction? Session ending June 23? @SaintPetersblog #JesusTakeTheWheel
Pasco County Tax Collector and former Republican state Rep. Mike Fasano (@fasanomike): June 20th 8 pm #CateBudget
Sun-Sentinel Florida reporter Dan Sweeney (@Daniel_Sweeney): @CateComm 6/20 @3:33 p.m. #catebudget
Political commentator and mapmaker Matthew Isbell (@mcimaps): Can I Change my #CateBudget guess to sometime August?
Florida Politics’ publisher Peter Schorsch (@SaintPetersblog): #MidnightBudget email says it was delivered at 5:40 pm. Is that the official time stamp? My #CateBudget prediction looking good.
The grand prize winner will get a “major shout out or feature” on Trimmel Gomes’ Rotunda Podcast.
Of course, before a Sine Die can be called, the proposed budget still needs final approval — with a cooling off period scheduled to start 72 hours after its presentation. Then, it has to contend with Gov. Rick Scott’s red veto pen, which he is sure to be using.
So it might be premature to call a winner today, if just only a little.
Cate is no stranger to amateur political bookmaking. In April, he promoted the #CateSineDie tag, where Twitter followers attempted to predict when lawmakers would adjourn the 2015 legislative session.
No word on which person guessed “three days early” on that one.
