We've known for a while that the Florida House was willing to spend money to save Hillsborough Correctional Institution (HCI). And now, the Senate has put up money for HCI as well.
Still unanswered is whether Gov. Rick Scott will keep the popular women's prison open.
Late last week as the Senate was approving its budget, Sen. Ronda Storms, R-Valrico, proposed a $2 million budget amendment to pay for repairs at Hillsborough Correctional Institution. Her amendment was unanimously approved.
The 35-year-old prison’s need of repairs is one reason cited for putting it on the closure list.
The Florida House passed its budget a few weeks ago which included a similar $2 million for HCI.
So, both the House and Senate appear in agreement on repairing and keeping open HCI, the women’s faith and character based prison in Riverview.
But the governor still has the final say and he’s given no indication what he will do. However, Gov. Rick Scott controls the Department of Corrections which targeted HCI for closure.
