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Senate Budget Chief: 'We're Not Out Of The Woods Yet'

Florida will likely not face a budget shortfall next year or the year after, that makes for the best budget projection the state’s economists have seen in six years. But, Senate Budget Chief JD Alexander says while the state’s financial situation is improving, it has a ways to go.

“You know, it’s better, but we’re not out of the woods yet. I wish we were,” said Alexander.

The state’s Chief economist Amy Baker updated Alexander and members of the Joint Legislative Budget Commission Wednesday on the positive outlook. Baker says so far, economists are not seeing a budget gap for the next year, like they’ve had in in the past. But, she warns if there’s any change of more than 71-million dollars in anticipated revenues, lawmakers could again be dealing with having to make deep cuts.

That number does not take into account cost overruns in Medicaid or what could happen if a judge decides in favor of state workers who filed a lawsuit to stop paying three-percent of their salary toward their retirement.

Sascha Cordner has more than ten years of public radio experience. It includes working at NPR member station WUFT-FM in Gainesville for several years. She's worked in both radio and TV, serving in various capacities as a reporter, producer and anchor. She's also a graduate of the University of Florida with a bachelor's degree in telecommunications. She is the recipient of 15 awards from the Associated Press, Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ), and Edward R. Murrow. Her award-winning stories include her coverage on the infamous “Dozier School for Boys” and a feature titled "Male Breast Cancer: Lost in the Sea of Pink." Currently, Sascha serves as the host and producer of local and state news content for the afternoon news program "All Things Considered" at WFSU. Sascha primarily covers criminal justice and social services issues. When she's not reporting, Sascha likes catching up on her favorite TV shows, singing and reading. Follow Sascha Cordner on Twitter:@SaschaCordner.