Budget Update - April 27

As we head into the final week of the Legislative Session, I wanted to update you about the status of the state budget.  Under Florida's state constitution, passing a budget is the only task the state legislature is required to complete during its annual 60-day session.  Unfortunately, negotiations between the House and Senate to work out the differences between their respective budget proposals have not even begun.  And, once a compromise is reached, the constitution requires us to wait 72 hours before voting on the finished product.  It thus appears highly unlikely that we will pass a state budget before Friday, which our state constitution designates as the last day of the legislative session.

While the House and Senate budget proposals are only about $550 million apart, there are some fairly significant differences between the basic structures of the two chambers' plans.  Here are some of the major sticking points:

-  The Senate budget calls for new sources of revenue that were chosen to minimize the impact ordinary Floridians, including the closing of corporate and real estate tax loopholes, a $1 per-pack cigarette tax increase and expanded gaming on tribal lands and at pari-mutuel facilities.
 
-  The House, on the other hand, relies heavily on fee increases for everything from license renewals to court filing fees.  Together, these total about $900 million in the House budget, while the Senate budget contains only $62 million in fee increases
 
-  The House budget would cut funding for state universities by about $500 million, while the Senate cuts only half that amount.  Of course, I regret that we must cut state university funding at all, but at the very least, we should minimize the impact of the budget shortfall on our public colleges as much as possible.
 
-  The House budget proposes sweeping $420 million from the Transportation Trust Fund, which would put economy-stimulating road projects at risk.  The Senate budget does not contain such extensive raids on state trust funds.
 
-   The House wants to cut salaries for every state employee by 5%.  The Senate budget calls for only a 1% cut for state workers who make more than $100,000 per year.
 
-  The Senate maximizes use of federal stimulus funds, while the House seeks to place extensive revenue in reserves.  I disagree with this idea - the "rainy day"-that reserve funds are designed for is NOW.  Floridians are really hurting, and it is incumbent on us to use every resource we have to help them now, not wait for times to get even worse.  
 
- It is worth noting that the Senate passed its budget unanimously, with both Republicans and Democrats supporting the plan.  We were able to achieve this unified support because many of my colleagues on both sides of the aisle were willing to consider new sources of revenue that enabled us to reduce the impact of
 
Throughout the legislative session, I have worked to persuade my colleagues to provide adequate funding for health and human services programs that are critical to some Florida's most vulnerable residents.  Please be assured that as the legislature completes its work on the budget, I will continue to do everything I can to protect funding where it is needed most - especially for our child welfare system, for children aging out of foster care, and for home and community-based care for older Floridians that enables them to remain in their homes and not go into nursing homes.
 
As always, if you have any questions or comments about this issue, or any issue related to state government, please feel free to contact my office.

Send this Article to a Friend

	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

Stay Updated!
E-mail Address	Zip Code
First Name  Last Name

Calendar of Events