– McClatchy Newspapers

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – A massive expansion of private prisons in Florida collapsed in the Senate Tuesday as nine Republicans joined a dozen Democrats in handing a setback to Senate leaders and a victory to state workers.

As a result, the state will not undertake what would have been the single greatest expansion of prison privatization in U.S. history, affecting 27 prisons and work camps in 18 counties and displacing more than 3,500 correctional officers.

Senate leaders said they would have to cut education and health care programs by $16.5 million, the amount privatization would have saved in the first year.

Tuesday’s 21-19 vote was a triumph for a group of Republicans who rejected the argument that for-profit prisons would save tax dollars and increase efficiency. All 12 Democrats also voted no.