Thursday, May 14, 2009
Boca Raton News

With an unprecedented deficit, an uncertain economic outlook and the expiration date of the federal stimulus dollars on the horizon,” this year Florida faced the worst budget environment in the state’s history,” said House Majority Leader Adam Hasner (R-Delray Beach).

And Hasner believes that, at least in the Florida House of Representatives, members “took a measured and thoughtful approach to crafting a budget that protects our most important priorities and places Florida in the best possible posture to put our economy back on track.”

Predictably, House Democrats don’t’ quite see it that way, the House Democratic office in a statement calling the approved $66.5 billion budget “modestly less onerous than a state budget passed in April by House Republicans.”

And Representative Kelly Skidmore, D-Boca Raton, the Democratic Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Council on General Government & Health Care, was far less polite. She said: “This budget not only puts public health and our water supply at risk of contamination, but cuts an estimated 750 jobs by decimating the Inland Protection Trust fund, puts jobs at risk for thousands of Tri-Rail commuters because of stubbornness, eliminates hundreds of state positions on principle and cuts the pay of hundreds more, and forces schools to lay off untold numbers of teachers.”

More from both sides later……..

“Core Missions”

Last Friday, the Florida House approved a prioritized $66.5 billion budget for FY 09-10 that places the “highest priority” on education, health care and public safety while preserving core missions of government and meeting the Constitutional mandate to responsibly balance Florida’s budget, Hasner said.

“Unlike Washington, we are constitutionally required to balance our budget,” Hasner added. “We can’t spend more than we can afford. We made tough choices and focused on core missions like education and health care. We’ve produced a responsible, long-term budget that puts Florida in the position to rebound as the economy recovers.”

GOP View

From the GOP point of view, Hasner says the new budget:

“Increases per-student funding for our K-12 schools to $6873

Fully funded the MEDS-AD and Medically Needy Programs, which were scheduled to expire on July 1, 2009.

“Works to stimulate economic recovery with $30 million for first-time homebuyers.

“Protects services and provider rates for Florida’s developmentally disabled

Maintained our commitment to restoring the Everglades with continued funding.

“Expands the Nursing Home Diversion Program, which will enable more Floridians to receive vital services in their communities.

“Maintains our commitment to public safety by providing full funding for Florida’s sworn officers.

“Invests in the future of Florida’s economy by increasing funding for state universities.

“Provides $13.5 million in the Quick Action Closing Fund to attract new companies to Florida.

“Increases funding for Film and Entertainment Incentives to attract more film and entertainment jobs to Florida.

“Prioritizes public safety by protecting funding for vital probation and security officers who work with offenders.

Democrat View

Right out of the box, the House Democratic Office sees it quite differently, saying:

“The $66.5 billion agreement raises taxes, fees and university tuition; drains trust funds; relies on federal economic recovery monies; cuts state employee salaries; trims vital programs; and fails to end inequities in the tax structure,” say Democrats, saying the approved budget:

Imposes more than $1 billion in new fees on the middle class, including $800 million in higher charges for motorists and $227 million in court fees. Among new charges are: fee hikes for driver licenses, auto registration tags, fishing licenses, and civil lawsuit filings.

Uses $3 billion in federal economic recovery passed by Democrats in Congress and President Obama, but fails to utilize another $444 million of federal stimulus for Florida’s unemployed.

Raises university tuition by up to 15 percent a year and caps Bright Futures scholarships. The move saves the state $34 million but will cost students at least $197/year at schools with 8-percent tuition hikes, and nearly twice that for students who choose schools that raise tuition by 15 percent.

Passes the buck to local school boards by allowing them to increase local property taxes by .25 mils (or $25 for $100,000 of taxable value) rather than adequately funding education with state dollars as required by the Florida Constitution.

Impairs criminal justice strategies. The number of FDLE investigators is reduced from 705 to 596. The budget also cuts funding for drug treatment programs and education services for inmates.

Cuts legal help for abused and neglected children by funding fewer Guardian ad Litem positions.

Threatens long-term environmental protection efforts. No funding for Florida Forever, the state’s program for buying lands for conservation, for the first time since its inception in 1990.

Reduces funding for cleaning up leaky underground petroleum storage tanks that threaten to contaminate drinking water (depending on conference negotiations). Dedicates to health care programs an estimated $130 million for first-year implementation of a $1 per pack surcharge on cigarettes.

Cuts by 2 percent the salaries of state workers (except State University System employees) earning $45,000 or more.

House Democratic Leader Franklin Sands, D-Weston, summed up Democrat sentiment when he said: “I find it troubling that the Republican Party, which touts fiscal conservatism and family values, has crafted a state budget held together by smokers and gamblers and is balanced on the backs of hard working state employees and other middle-class Floridians.”

To which Hasner replies: “As they have done in past sessions, House Democrats unanimously opposed the budget, despite not having provided alternatives except $6.5 billion in tax increases, and resorting frequently to partisan attacks instead of working for solutions.”

And the beat goes on.