Staff Writer
Budget in hands of lawmakers for Friday vote
As members of the Florida House and Senate head toward the homestretch known as the 60th day of session Friday, the one item that must be approved was ready for review Tuesday afternoon.
After a late-night deal Monday, the state’s budget totaled $70.4 billion, slightly above the anticipated level, and it must be voted on by Friday.
The process has been difficult amid economic times that have seen declining revenues, said one Duval Delegation member late Tuesday.
“It’s been a real challenge,” said State Rep. Ronald “Doc” Renuart. “We’ve had to make some decisions and reductions that we didn’t want to.”
Renuart believes not having to raise taxes while maintaining essential government functions and keeping funding for many programs and services, including Duval County items such as Shands, is a win given the situation.
He also noted the small gains in education, a $1.22 per-student average increase, that will assure no interruptions in education.
State Rep. Audrey Gibson noted that funding for libraries, an issue she advocated, was restored and a positive step, as was a vote on recent economic development amendments aimed to spur job growth.
Several other Duval Delegation members said that while they had the budget in their hands, they wanted to refrain from comment until they had a chance to review it closely. That’s the mission for the next several days as legislators go through the packet line-by-line before Friday’s vote to send it to Gov. Charlie Crist.
That doesn’t meant there aren’t looming issues that still need to be addressed.
Renuart said this budget is just a step to shore up budget holes and become more accountable, while big-ticket items such as state Medicaid reform are still pressing as more people become eligible while funding diminishes.
While this year’s budget was difficult, it’s next year’s process that many Duval Delegation members fear as federal stimulus dollars that supplement the state budget dry up, leaving even more of a gap that could potentially lead to further cuts. Renuart said he hopes by that time the state is on its way to economic recovery.
While lawmakers from the House and Senate have their budgets, there are still hurdles. Friday’s vote, if approved, would send the budget to Crist, who could veto the measure, bringing lawmakers back to work next week for overtime.
“It’s been a process of compromise,” Renuart said. “All of us realize what those compromises are. It’ll be a good afternoon Sunday if we can get those votes.”
356-2466