Associated Press: Florida Budget Deficit Human Services

Tallahassee, Fla:

The budget-cutting special session in Tallahassee will have a catastrophic impact on health and human services in Florida, according to one state senator.

Sen. Nan Rich says she’s concerned budget cuts will hurt children, older people and those with developmental disabilities.

The Health and Human Services Appropriations committee is considering slashing about $275 million dollars and eliminating nearly 300 jobs, though many of those positions are now vacant.

The proposed cuts would chop about $75 million for nursing homes, $50 million for hospitals and millions more for people with developmental disabilities and Alzheimer’s disease.

Republican legislative leaders say tax increases are off the table for this special session. But there’s a growing sentiment to review new ways to raise money when the regular session starts in March.

Sen. Rich argues some cuts are fine, but they should be balanced with new revenue because she thinks these cuts go too far.

Sen. Durell Peaden, a Republican and chairman of the Health and Human Services Appropriations committee, says he’s open to the idea of raising the cigarette tax to help pay for health care costs.

Peaden says he sees growing support for that idea, even among fiscal conservatives, and he adds he’s open to the idea of raising fees or using gambling money to help cover the budget deficit.

Florida is facing at least a $2.3 billion budget deficit this year and projections indicate it could grow in the coming months and next year.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)

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	Senator Rich Addressing Seniors at the Daniel Canter Senior Center
	Nan Rich with Gradutes of Weston University
	Senator Rich with the Final Graduting Class of Weston University 2010

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