State lawmakers are getting a preview of Florida’s balance sheet ahead of the 2017 legislative session. Chief economic forecaster Amy Baker says the economy will likely grow in coming years, but not as fast as expenditures.
“Looking at everything, you do have enough money available to you to avoid a budget gap in Fiscal Year 17/18," Baker says, "however you don’t have any money that would be left over to allow you to deal with new discretionary issues.”
Baker’s projection shows the money could run short for some lower priority projects in the two following years. That could complicate incoming Senate President Joe Negron’s hopes for higher education and water storage initiatives.
