Scott Shoots Down Pasco Probation Takeover

Gov. Rick Scott on Monday vetoed a bill that would have financed a closer look at a proposal for the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office to take over felony probation services in Pasco from the state Department of Corrections.

The bill would have allocated $120,000 toward evaluating Pasco Sheriff Chris Nocco’s takeover idea.

In his budget announcement, he gave the following reason for the veto:

“The following is vetoed because felony probation supervision is the statutory responsibility of the Department of Corrections. Consideration of alternative methods and structures should take place at a statewide level, as there are more than 115,000 felony offenders under supervision statewide." 

Nocco announced in February his proposal to take over probation and parole services in Pasco. Pasco would have been the first sheriff’s office in the state to handle felony probation and parole services. The proposal was being floated as a pilot program.

In response to the veto, Nocco said in a statement: "This is a critical issue to further protect our citizens and we will continue to pursue it. I would like to thank the legislators who supported the plan. However, I feel that entrenched bureaucrats in Tallahassee wish to protect their turf at the expense of public safety. Changing government requires action not rhetoric, and this plan was a step to improving the criminal justice system in Florida."

The takeover was just one of many budget proposals in Pasco that Scott shot down. He also approved some projects for funding.

What do you think, Land O' Lakes? Should the state have taken a closer look at the proposal? Tell us by commenting below!