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Lawmakers Tackle Budget

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By CATHERINE DOLINSKI

cdolinski@tampatrib.com

Published: January 5, 2009

TALLAHASSEE - State lawmakers arrive at the Capitol today for a two-week special session to close a $2.3 billion gap in the state budget.

Among the options they plan to use: raiding state reserves, boosting fees for court-related services and cutting spending by roughly $1 billion.

That's about double the amount that Gov. Charlie Crist had proposed trimming. The cuts now expected may trigger layoffs and will likely cut into health, public safety and education.

Off the list of options: raising taxes on cigarettes or alcohol. Lawmakers also rejected Crist's proposal to use revenue derived from Seminole tribe gaming operations.

The budget hole results primarily from plunging tax collections. Florida is one of many states scrambling to avoid a deficit at the end of the fiscal year. Unlike the federal government, Florida is constitutionally required to maintain a balanced budget.

The main House budget committee takes public testimony today on budget cuts from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Catherine Dolinski

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