TALLAHASSEE -- Public employee unions are challenging a state budget provision calling for the privatization of health care in Florida's prisons.

Circuit Judge Kevin Carroll held a hearing Tuesday in Tallahassee and said he hoped to rule next week.

Carroll, though, acknowledged the case will be appealed regardless of his decision.

It is similar to another prison privatization case set for oral argument June 27 in the 1st District Court of Appeal.

The state is appealing another Tallahassee judge's ruling that struck down a budget provision requiring privatization of prison facilities in South Florida.

Circuit Judge Jackie Fulford ruled the Republican-led Legislature violated the Florida Constitution by using the budget to make a substantive change in state law instead of passing a stand-alone bill.

Such a bill subsequently was defeated.

Read the rest here:

Fla. prison health care privatization challenged