Work on the state budget will begin in earnest next week. And Florida lawmakers will have a lot less money to work with than expected. Republican Senator Don Gaetz of Niceville says now is the time for organizations that get money to prove how they’ve used it, and for lawmakers who have projects they want funded, to speak up:
“The state economist has reduced her revenue estimates by $300 million a couple days ago," he said. "Consequently, this is not the land of milk and honey, it’s the years of trial and tribulations, if we can use those allusions.”
State economists have downgraded the state’s projected budget outlook by about $400 million, largely due to stock market declines. But Governor Rick Scott is still pushing his plan for a billion dollars in tax cuts. And the state’s list of priorities hasn’t decreased either.
