Gov. Rick Scott cuts from St. Johns River, UNF

Gov. Rick Scott says that after wielding his budget ax, the spending plan he signed Thursday is a record $615 million lighter than the budget approved by the Legislature, and that the savings can be applied to education.

Some lawmakers in his own party don't believe that claim, but there is no gray area regarding nearly $14 million for Northeast Florida projects that did not survive Scott's veto.

The biggest item: $10 million sought by Sen. John Thrasher for St. Johns River cleanup. The St. Augustine Republican said that he was disappointed but will continue to push for funding.

"I'm not going to give up," he said. "I've had stuff vetoed before by governors. It is part of the process."

Scott also vetoed $400,000 for KIPP Jacksonville Schools — the same charter where, with much fanfare, he held a public ceremony in March to sign his first bill as governor that tied teacher pay to student performance.