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Budget Cuts Mean Denials For Local Funding Requests

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By CHRISTIAN M. WADE

cwade@tampatrib.com

Published: November 28, 2008

TAMPA - 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 time, 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."

Because of that, the delegation has taken the unusual step of telling local government officials and nonprofit groups not to ask for funds from next year's state budget. They have also canceled the annual meeting where groups come to ask for state funding.

Florida's tax revenue is in a free-fall because of slumping state and national economies and delegations across the state have been told to deny local funding proposals.

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

Lawmakers are looking at a potential deficit of more than $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 nonprofits locked out of state funding next year is Tampa Crossroads Inc. The group had planned to request $185,000 for a newly created transitional housing program that seeks to put homeless female veterans back into the work force.

"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 organization's first request for state funding.

Mental Health Care Inc., a regional health care provider, asked for about $3 million to add 20 much-needed beds for uninsured mentally ill patients at its Tampa facilities.

They, too, were told they won't be getting anything.

"We'll have to try again next year," said Sandra Hanna, the nonprofit organization's director of emergency and acute care services. "We need these additional beds."

The city of Tampa had planned to ask for $1.5 million for stormwater improvements in Drew Park, but backed off that request after learning that it wouldn't be considered.

All told, more than $9 million in local funding requests in Hillsborough have been canceled.

The expected loss of state funding differs sharply from previous years, when lawmakers reeled in millions of dollars for local improvement projects and social service programs.

"We're looking at a bare-bones budget next year," said Sen. Victor Crist, R-Tampa, vice chair of the delegation. "Because of that, there are going to be many inconveniences."

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

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