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Hillsborough Groups Told Not To Expect Money From State

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By CHRISTIAN M. WADE | The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 25, 2008

Updated: 11/25/2008 03:38 pm

TAMPA - It's become known as the parade of wish lists.

Every year, city and county government officials and civic groups make pitches to Hillsborough County's state legislators for money. They come with requests for road, water and redevelopment projects, and seeking state tax dollars for local issues.

This year, however, they're being turned away at the front door.

"There's just no money," said state Rep. Rich Glorioso, R-Plant City, the delegation's chair. "It's going to be a tough year for everyone. We've all got to tighten our belts."

For that reason, the delegation has taken the unusual step of telling local government officials and nonprofit groups not to ask for funds from the state's budget next year. Other delegations across the state are being told to do the same thing.

Lawmakers are looking at a potential deficit of $2 billion or more in the current fiscal year, which ends June 30. The situation is expected to be far worse for the 2009-10 budget. The legislative session begins in early March.

Among the groups being told not to expect funding next year is Tampa Crossroads Inc. The group had planned to request $185,000 in state money for a transitional housing program that seeks to put homeless female veterans back into the workforce.

"It's disappointing," said Executive Director Sara Romeo, a former state lawmaker. "On one hand, I understand that the state has a huge deficit, but there are so many programs that funding means the difference between keeping doors open and closed for people."

This would have been the nonprofit's first request for state funding.

All told, more than $9 million in funding requests in Hillsborough County are unlikely to be considered.

"We're looking at a bare-bones budget," said Sen. Victor Crist, R-Tampa. "Anything that would be funded with nonrecurring funds is not likely to receive funding next year."

The delegation, which includes 16 lawmakers whose districts encompass all or part of the county, is expected to meet Dec. 2 to consider two local bills for the upcoming legislative session. No other items will be considered at the meeting.

Tax revenues are in a free-fall due to the slumping state and national economies, and legislative leaders have warned that "turkeys" won't be allowed in next year's budget.

House Speaker Ray Sansom and Senate President Jeff Atwater announced last week that community budget issue requests will be not allowed due to dire financial straits.

Florida TaxWatch is a Tallahassee-based fiscal watchdog group that reviews legislative earmarks every year and compiles a list of "turkeys" for the governor to review or veto.

Next year, the group expects to see fewer "turkeys" in the state's spending package.

"We hope there'll be none, but only time will tell," said Dominic Calabro, the group's president and CEO. "Hopefully this will mean the end of political patronage for pet projects that, while good causes, should be funded locally or with private money."

WISH LIST BLUES

As is the case at the end of every year, various local groups have requested state funding from Hillsborough County's lawmakers ahead of the legislative session. This year, about $9 million in community budget requests have been made. Unlike past years, none will be considered. Among the funding requests:

•Mental Health Care Inc. – About $3 million for 20 additional crisis stabilization unit beds for indigent mental health patients in Hillsborough County.

•Southwest Florida Water Management District – $2 million for Tampa Bay restoration project.

•Tampa – About $1.5 million for Drew Park stormwater improvements.

•Drug Abuse Comprehensive Coordinating Office Inc. – $550,000 for Brandon Adolescent Program and Zero Exposure Program.

•Gulf Coast Jewish Family Services – $750,000 for noncustodial parent employment program.

•Florida Kinship Center – $400,000 for operations.

•Gaspirilla International Film Festival – $300,000 for high school education programs on film production.

•Florida Institute of Community Studies Inc. – $250,000 for programs targeting the Latino community.

•Tampa Firefighter's Museum – $198,750 for interactive video screens with safety messages for children.

•Tampa Crossroads Inc. – $185,000 for transitional housing program for homeless female veterans.

•Tampa Bay Academy of Hope – $150,000 for Leadership Through Education program.

Source: Hillsborough County Legislative Delegation; Tampa

Reporter Christian M. Wade can be reached at (813) 259-7679.

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