Florida Supreme Court Rules Gov. Scott Erred in Regulation Freeze

The Florida Supreme Court says Gov. Rick Scott overstepped his authority by suspending state agency rule-making procedures.

The justices split 5-2 in the opinion.

The majority ruled in favor of a disabled woman who contended Scott’s freeze halted adoption of a rule that would have made it easier for her to apply for food stamps.

The suspension was one of the Republican governor’s first acts upon taking office in January.

Scott required approval by his office of proposed rules before they go through a screening process established by law.

The justices ruled that Scott’s executive order short-circuiting that process violated the constitutional separation of powers doctrine.