Friday, May 8, 2009
Tallahassee Democrat

The House began a marathon debate Thursday over a $66.5 billion budget that papers over a $6 billion shortfall with billions in federal stimulus dollars, salary cuts for state workers and nearly $800 million in new fees.

Republicans argued fiercely that they protected public schools and universities despite a crippling recession and plunging state tax revenues.

“You can go home and proudly tell your constituents that you supported education,” said Rep. Seth McKeel, R-Lakeland. Debate went on for seven hours into Thursday evening ahead of a final vote today, a week after regular session concluded.

The proposed budget for 2009-10 relies on $3.1 billion in federal stimulus dollars, even though two-thirds of it dedicated to education has not yet been approved by the federal government. That’s on top of $3.8 billion in stimulus money that lawmakers approved earlier in the session to make up for a shortfall in the current year.

While the statewide average for per-student spending would rise slightly next year by $28.21, bringing it up to $6,873, not all districts will see increases. Rural Jefferson County will see a $193 decrease.

Democrats railed against Republicans for not doing more to close tax loopholes for the wealthy and complained about cuts to social programs that serve the sick, the poor, and guardians for thousands of foster children in the court system.

Freshman Leonard Bembry, D-Greenville, said it was unwise to sweep $151.7 million from a reserve fund that pays for cleaning up gasoline and other petroleum products that threaten drinking water supplies at thousands of sites across the state. Republican leaders chose instead to borrow up to up to $105 million to keep the program going.

“I have a hard time personally borrowing money to pay for current expenses,” Bembry said.

Rep. Marty Kiar, D-Davie, labeled it a “tax and spend,” budget. To prop up public schools, lawmakers gave school districts the power to raise school property taxes by a quarter mil — that’s $25 for every $100,000 of assessed value — with a super-majority vote of the school board.

Republicans fought back, accusing their rivals of not offering alternatives.

“It is easy to stand on the sidelines and point fingers and place blame,” said House Majority Leader Adam Hasner, R-Delray Beach. “They have become the party of no: no ideas, no solutions and no alternatives.”