Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi Disagrees with State Lawmakers on Settlement
Monday, August 6, 2012
By: Nicole Creston

Aug 06, 2012 | WMFE - Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi is quietly battling the GOP-controlled Legislature over who decides how to spend more than $300 million intended to help homeowners.

Florida is receiving $334 million as part of its share of a national $25 billion dollar settlement with five of the nation's largest banks, according to state records.

But Bondi has not announced any plans on how Florida’s share would be spent. The state's top legal officer has asserted that her office can spend the money without first getting approval from state lawmakers.

Florida legislative leaders counter that the state's constitution gives the Legislature, not the State Attorney General’s Office, the power to make spending decisions.

Other states across the country have started spending settlement money, with some reportedly using it to fill budget gaps.