By Lynn Hatter
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wfsu/local-wfsu-987056.mp3
Tallahssee, FL – A panel established by the governor and legislative leaders is trying to come up with ways to cut three billion dollars out of the state budget. Lynn Hatter reports the task force is made up of current and former lawmakers, and private business owners.
Many of the proposals raised are not new, like revising the state's pension system and scaling back on the number of employees. This was done last session when lawmakers mandated three-percent pension contributions and eliminated more than 4,000 state positions. Other suggestions build upon existing ideas, like privatization. Florida is already looking privatizing some state prisons. But Committee member Francis Rice, a Sarasota lawyer, says the state could take it a step further.
"A notable example is Citizens Property Insurance Corporation. Others types of government enterprises ripe for privatization are schools, prisons, airports, seaports, sports stadiums, and toll bridges."
The task force is also looking at how the state purchases supplies. It has until the end of the year to put together a report to send to the governor and legislature.