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Senate Budget Plan Raises Fees, Cuts Spending

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The Associated Press

Published: March 28, 2009

TALLAHASSEE - It would cost more to drive a car and go to college, and some top school officials may take pay cuts under the Florida Senate's budget draft released Friday.

Those are just a few of many fee increases and spending cuts in a series of appropriations bills for the fiscal year beginning July 1.
Senate committees will review and amend the bills next week as a prelude to votes.

"We are pursuing a budget plan that I would call anchored in the realities and uncertainties of our state's economy as it does exist today and the near future," said House Speaker Larry Cretul, R-Ocala.

The Senate is considering several revenue-raising measures to help fill the gaps but still expects to cut nearly $1 billion in spending. Topping the list is a $1-a-pack increase in the cigarette tax, which House leaders so far have opposed. The Senate's also banking on an expansion of gambling at Seminole Indian casinos, horse and dog tracks, and jai alai frontons that could bring in from $400 million to $1 billion a year.

The Senate budget also has a variety of fee increases including those for driver licenses (up by $8 for originals and renewals), vehicle titles (up by $16) and vehicle registration (up by a range of $1.50 to $3.35 annually for cars depending on weight). Community college and university tuition would go up 8 percent.

The Senate budget draft would leave average public school spending per student at $6,860. Local school superintendent salaries would be reduced by 5 percent. School board member salaries could be no higher than those for legislators - $30,336 after a 5 percent cut last year.

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