TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Funding Help Is Memory

ADVERTISEMENT

By KEVIN WIATROWSKI

kwiatrowski@tampatrib.com

Published: December 21, 2008

NEW PORT RICHEY - Pasco County's legislative delegation has put the word out to community organizations to expect no state support this year.

The annual delegation meeting, scheduled for Jan. 23 at the West Pasco Government Center, is usually when community groups and local governments ask the county's state representatives and senators for funds.

In the past, the money has been used for construction projects and one-time expenses.

Last year, community budget requests totaled about $1 billion statewide, most of it coming from the general fund. That list included $5 million for economic development in Pasco County.

This year, though, the leadership in Tallahassee has made it clear: There is no money for community budget requests.

Legislators are looking at billions of dollars in red ink, both in the current budget and next year's.

"Certainly, we'd all love to have the CBR process as a viable option," said Rep. Wil Weatherford, R-Wesley Chapel. "It's going to be a tough year."

In fact, the electronic system by which legislators file such requests has been shut down entirely, said state Sen. Mike Fasano, R-New Port Richey, who chairs the delegation this year.

"If it wasn't funded last year, it's not being funded this year," he said.

That could put a major crimp in the plans of local governments and nonprofit groups that have depended on state money in the past.

For Barry Cohen, head of the Pasco Association for Challenged Kids, the loss of state funds means finding $50,000 from other sources.

"We're going to be looking for grants and community support," said Cohen, whose group runs a summer camp for disabled children. "That's come through for us in the past."

Cohen said he saw this year's elimination of community budget requests coming. While his organization received state support last year, it got none this year, Cohen said.

Cohen still plans on attending the delegation meeting.

"I'm not going to ask for money," Cohen said. "I'm just going to ask for their support."

Reporter Kevin Wiatrowski can be reached at (813) 948-4201.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT