By James Call
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wfsu/local-wfsu-882404.mp3
Tallahassee, FL – Florida's battered economy may be beginning to turn. Governor Charlie Crist said Wednesday that his proposed state budget will not include any layoffs of state employees.
Governor Charlie Crist appeared upbeat when speaking to an Associated Press gathering at the Capitol. He plans to release his budget proposal Friday. He says it will include a corporate tax cut, more money for schools, and no layoffs in the state bureaucracy. Crist says he will use smart funding to keep the spending plan in balance.
"We now have more revenue coming in than less, number one. I think we have an opportunity to get the Race to the Top funds, which could be as much as a billion dollars more. In addition, Congress is working on legislation that could help us with medical costs, and that could be as much as a billion dollars in addition to that. If you add all those things together, you end up with a balanced budget."
Lawmakers have cut state spending by more than $6-billion in the past three years. Republican leaders in the Legislature say Crist's proposal for next year may be overly optimistic. Democratic leaders say the governor is being unrealistic.