TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Road Budget Cuts Hit Speed Bumps In Legislature

ADVERTISEMENT

The Associated Press

The Tampa Tribune

Published: January 9, 2009

TALLAHASSEE - Florida lawmakers were split Thursday over spending cuts and fund shifts to resolve a budget deficit of at least $2.3 billion.

Although the House and Senate were fairly close on cutting nearly $1 billion in spending and raising traffic fines, two main questions divided them: Whether to cut spending for road building and other transportation projects and how much money to borrow from the state's tobacco settlement endowment.

The two chambers are expected to vote Friday on their deficit-elimination plans. They will then try to resolve differences before taking final action next week to close out a special legislative session.

"It hurts me to even have to say 'yes' to this budget," said Sen. Evelyn Lynn, R-Ormond Beach. "The best we can do at this time is to get this horrible task over with."

The House wants to take $235 million out of the state's transportation trust fund and use that money to offset shortfalls in the budget's general fund, which covers most operational spending including schools, courts and social services.

The Senate plan leaves the fund untouched in hopes that spending on roads, airports and other transportation construction and maintenance will help stimulate Florida's sagging economy.

"Every one dollar invested in the highway work program yields $5.60 of economic benefit, creating jobs," said Sen. Mike Fasano, a New Port Richey Republican who chairs a panel that oversees transportation spending.

By voice vote, the Senate Ways and Means Committee rejected a proposal to shift $123 billion in transportation money to eliminate a 4 percent cut to state universities and community colleges. The funds are currently earmarked for increasing the capacity of roads and other transportation facilities.

"In this economic environment it is the capacity of our university system and our community colleges that we should be increasing," said Sen. Ted Deutch, D-Boca Raton.

Each plan would raid the state's affordable housing trust fund but would take differing amounts. The Senate would remove $140 million compared with $283 million under the House plan.

The House also relies more heavily on a "rainy day" reserve built into the $66.3 billion budget. The House would nearly drain the budget stabilization fund by removing $600 million, but the Senate would take out $200 million.

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT