By James Call
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wfsu/local-wfsu-948841.mp3
Tallahassee, FL – Florida's budget shortfall for next year continues to grow. James Call reports, the senate's chief budget writer is advising lawmakers to prepare to cut spending like they have never done before.
Florida lawmakers are digging deep into the state budget to find ways to save money. And the chair of the senate budget committee is telling them they need to go further. On top of an expected 3 point six billion dollar shortfall, Senator JD Alexander wants to add another billion dollars to the working capital fund, to protect the state's credit rating. That means lawmakers will need to cut spending by more than four billion dollars to balance the budget.
"Based on what we know today that is the range we could be looking at something like four billion or better. I hate to say those words because its uh, we can do it but it will require some very difficult decisions."
Medicaid and education are likely in line for the biggest cuts. Although final numbers won't be ready until March, those two spending items could consume all the money raised by the state sales tax, which produces more than 70 percent of state revenue.