The annual Florida state legislative session starts Tuesday at 10 in the morning. James Call reports, lawmakers’ yearly gathering in Tallahassee is beginning two months earlier than usual because legislators have to redraw Congressional and statehouse districts in time for the 2012 election.
The once-in-a-decade task of drawing new political boundaries and the need to close a $2 billion budget shortfall have leaders downplaying expectations for this year’s session. House Speaker Dean Cannon says the legislature will have limited bandwidth for issues other than redistricting and a balanced state budget.
Senate President Mike Haridopolos suggests that lawmakers may end the session earlier than the usual 60 days without finishing work on a state spending plan.
Legislators have until July to pass a budget and Haridopolos says tax collections may improve in the first quarter of the year and erase some of the shortfall. Lawmakers could then convene a special session to pass a budget with fewer spending cuts. Governor Rick Scott, Haridopolos and Cannon have ruled out raising taxes to offset the projected shortfall.