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Politics

Republicans Talk Budget

March 2, 2010 - 6:00pm


Floridas House Republicans caucused Wednesday night and expressed concern about the budget and how the budget process will shape the entire session.

The grim mood was obvious from the start.

Rep. Anitere Flores, R-Miami, offered the opening prayer with references to this difficult budgetary time and this austere time.

Remarks from Majority Leader Adam Hasner, R-Delray Beach, extended the somber tone.

It is no secret that well have significant challenges in the next 58 days, Hasner said. Floridians are upset and they are expecting us to get to work.

We recognize the magnitude of the work that we have to do, Hasner said. Some of the decisions we will make will not be popular.

Hasner called upon Rep. David Rivera, R-Miami, to present the details.

Thanks for not introducing me as the Grip Reaper, Rivera said as he launched into an overview that began with aknowledgement of Flordia's looming $3.2 billion deficit. He said the deficit resulted from $1.7 billion in extra Medicaid expenses and another $800 million loss in property taxes.

Rivera said that the state faced a $5 billion to $6 billion deficit next year. And, the expanding hole will not be filled with new taxes, the Republicans vowed.

Were not going to ask the people of Florida to pony up any more money, Rivera said.

We will prioritize the important elements of the budget to protect the core of it - education, health care and public safety, Rivera said, noting that the appropriation committees start meeting Thursday.

Rivera also said that other parts of the budget - including transportation, the environment and general government operations - would not be as protected.

This is the most open and transparent budget process ever in the Florida House of Representatives, Hasner said.

Hasner said the House would release details on its proposed budget on Thursday. It will be reviewing collective bargaining with state employees.

Rep. H. Marlene OToole, R-Lady Lake, has been designated by the Republcian leadership to take the point on the issue.

This will be very controversial, Hasner predicted.

Rep. Bill Galvano, R-Bradenton, spoke on the House schedule and laid out the calendar for the rest of the session.

The budget is the biggest issue, Galvano said. We will build the calendar around it.

Galvano said the plan was to have the budget passed and sent to the Senate by the fifth week of the session. Predicting the Senate would reject the initial House budget, Galvano said that the two chambers would then have two weeks to confer.

Galvano said the plan is to have the final budget complete by April 27 and for the Legislature to adjourn April 30.

Rivera also expressed concerns about the schedule.

The Senate is a week behind us, he said.

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