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The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 4, 2007

Subdued lawmakers convened in Tallahassee Wednesday for a third session in nine months, this time to knock some $1 billion from the $71 billion budget they approved just four months ago.

There were few smiles, as the Legislature began what will be a 10-day exercise in kitchen-table politics. Like families forced in lean times to adjust personal budgets, lawmakers are faced with difficult choices.

There is enough money currently in reserve to cover the anticipated shortfalls, but they need to make cuts now to avoid more drastic reductions next year.

Likely budget cuts will come from schools, unfilled highway patrol jobs and hospital and nursing home reimbursement rates, Alzheimer's research funding and more. The cuts have mostly been decided, so much of what we will see in public this week will be little more than political theater.

One choice lawmakers won't have is to raise taxes. Senate President Ken Pruitt, House Speaker Marco Rubio and Gov. Charlie Crist understand that voters already pressed by property taxes and property insurance premiums are not willing to accept the additional financial burden.

In addition to budget cuts, lawmakers also are trying to broker a deal to revive Florida's no-fault automobile insurance law that expired Monday. Rubio and the House seem ready to restore personal injury protection (PIP) with new elements to prevent fraud, but it's unclear the Senate will go along.

And looming over all is the real likelihood that everyone will be back for a fourth session later this month to focus on property tax reform.

Florida is facing tough economic times that demand discipline and diligence. State leaders, who in recent boom years have able to lavish tax dollars on public needs, now truly will have to earn their keep.

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