Lawmakers outline deep cuts during special session

Tuesday, January 6, 2009

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Lawmakers have already thrown out many of Gov. Charlie Crist's budget-cutting proposals.

TALLAHASSEE (Bay News 9) -- It's only day two of the state legislature's budget-cutting special session, but lawmakers have already passed a rough outline of what could be much deeper reductions than many expected.

Republicans appear to be sticking to their strategy of cutting more and borrowing less to tackle the deficit.

But Democrats and even the governor call that a bad move that could put a real pinch on the people.

Lawmakers have already thrown out many of Gov. Charlie Crist's budget-cutting proposals. However, they did pass a small business loan program.

Ray Gilley, of the Metro Orland Economic Development Commission, says the program could be instrumental to re-firing Florida's economy.

"They have great growth potential, and it's that growth potential that we will hope to unlock," Gilley said.

But that is where the funding ends. House committees have tentatively agreed to a billion dollars in cuts, and about half of that would come from education alone.

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Many committees have already wrapped up their work -- a sign that most of the cuts may have been hammered out behind closed doors.

Lawmakers say given the economic climate, they have no choice.

The cuts on the table now total about $400 million more than the governor proposed.

Crist wants to borrow more money, but Sen. Mike Fasano, R-New Port Richey, couldn't disagree more.

"In March when we take up the next fiscal year for '09-'10, we've got to reduce the budget by another $5 billion," Fasano said. "Where are we going to get those dollars from? They're not going to be available if you start using them in trust funds."

Which is primarily where Crist wants to get the money.

"You know, what are we supposed to do? Sit around and admire that money? It's there for a reason," Crist said. "The reason is to utilize it when you're in tough times, and here we are."

The governor's proposal calls for borrowing more than a billion dollars. Most of the money would come from special trust funds and reserve accounts.

But he also wants to bond hundreds of millions of dollars for new prison construction.

A final vote will be held a week from Friday.