Speaker Dean Cannon, R-Winter Park, offered some changes to House budgetary allocations on Thursday, sending additional monies to the PreK-12, Higher Education and Justice appropriation subcommittees and taking away funds from the Appropriations Committee.
Cannon sent out a memo to House members Thursday morning, explaining the changes from the initial assessments released on Monday.
Our appropriations subcommittees have completed their initial work by proposing spending plans within their allocations, Cannon wrote in the memo. I have repeatedly emphasized that we will need to make difficult choices in preparing the fiscal year 2011-12 state budget. Through our base budget review, budget reduction exercise, and lump sum general revenue allocations, members have been given the opportunity to engage in the process and the freedom to prioritize spending. Most of our appropriations subcommittee chairs have successfully put statewide concerns ahead of local projects and local priorities.
I have also repeatedly emphasized the need for prudent, realistic budgeting, continued Cannon, noting that he was working closely with Rep. Denise Grimsley, R-Sebring. In anticipation of the need for refinement, Appropriations Chair Grimsley and I withheld some general revenue in the allocations process. After watching the appropriations subcommittee meetings, reviewing how each subcommittee chair spent their allocation, and consulting with Chair Grimsley, I have opted to use this set-aside to adjust the general revenue allocations.
While Cannon initially allocated nearly $175 million from general revenue and almost $320 million from the Education Enhancement Trust Fund for the full Appropriations Committee, he was now taking more than $46 million to send to the other three committees.
Cannon authorized sending an additional $54.8 million to the PreK-12 Appropriations Subcommittee, chaired by Rep. Marti Coley, R-Marianna, adding to the $8.2 billion in general revenue, as well as $1.7 billion from trust funds already allocated.
With the PreK-12 budget allocation change, I am asking Chair Grimsley to honor the goals outlined by PreK-12 Appropriations Subcommittee Chair Coley to ensure that every school districts per-student reduction remains under 10 percent, to keep the statewide average of per-student funding reduction in the FEFP under 7 percent and to stabilize per-student funding for our rural counties, noted Cannon in the memo.
"I am also providing an additional Higher Education allocation and asking Chair Grimsley to distribute it between state universities and community colleges, wrote Cannon.
He allocated $6.5 million to the Higher Education Appropriations Subcommittee which is chaired by Rep. Marlene OToole, R-The Villages. Cannon had already allocated $3.1 billion from general revenue and $822 million from trust funds to OTooles subcommittee.
Cannon also allocated $15 million to the Justice Appropriations Subcommittee. The Justice Appropriations Subcommittee, chaired by Rep. Rich Glorioso, R-Plant City, has already received allocations of$3.3 billion from general revenue and $68 million from other sources.
I am providing an additional allocation for Justice Appropriations, and asking Chair Grimsley to re-examine the reductions proposed to the state courts system, wrote Cannon.
Cannon closed by insisting that the new monies would not tap into the reserves.
These adjustments to the general revenue allocations do not diminish the Houses proposed $2.2 billion in reserves, maintained Cannon.
Reach Kevin Derby at kderby@sunshinestatenews.com or at (850) 727-0859.
