Dec 31, 2008 11:57 am US/Eastern
Florida Legislature Meets Next Week Over Budget
Special Session To Resolve Closing The $2.3-Billion Budget Gap
TALLAHASSEE (CBS4) ―
State politicians will deal with a $2.3-billion budget in a special session from January 5th until the 16th in Tallahassee.
The budget for the current fiscal year, which began July 1st, is in the red because sales and other tax revenues have fallen short due to the sagging state, national and global economies.
This budget crisis could mean higher taxes on cigarettes, and it could mean sales taxes on Floridians who shop online. State legislators face a daunting task: they must fill a $2.3-billion dollar budget shortfall, as property taxes continue to shrink.
Education could face cuts. South Florida education leaders say school budgets are already down to the bone.
Health care programs may be on the chopping block as well, and CBS4 news partners The Miami Herald reported Governor Crist had discussed furloughing workers, combining state agencies and taking money out of trust funds to cover the shortfall.
State Representative Julio Robaina says the state's savings should be tapped into.
"Myself and members of my delegation that represent Miami Dade County would like to see the reserves tapped into," said Robaina. "It's time to really consider using that rainy day money. It's pouring as they say."
House Speaker Ray Sansom and Senate President Jeff Atwater said the Republican-controlled legislature will try to balance the budget through spending cuts and transfers from trust funds. Trust funds are supported by certain revenues earmarked for specific purposes such as gasoline taxes for road building and utility taxes for school construction.
(© 2009 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
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