Cretul Looks Ahead to Florida's Challenges

Speaker Larry Cretul, R-Ocala, addressed more than 30 realtors from Marion and Alachua Counties in the House chamber early this afternoon, and he addressed a number of issues.

Cretul offered an assessment of future challenges, reminding the audience that the end of the federal stimulus funding would leave a $5 billion hole in the Florida budget. Asked about the impact of the federal health-care legislation passed last month, Cretul said that the new law would cost Floridians $1.5 billion a year initially before leveling to $1 billion thereafter.

Cretul noted that the possibility remained that the state could receive more federal funds but that was not a done deal on either end. Theres a big debate on whether to take it or not, he said.

When asked what the most important issues were to him personally, Cretul mentioned the importance of the economy and jobs. Cretul said that while Alachua County faced 7 percent unemployment, Marion Countys rate was at 15 percent. We have to do whatever we can do to get the economy moving, he said.

Cretul also touched on other issues including expressing his disappointment that Bobby Bowden would not be on hand for FSU Day in the House to saying that the House would address education issues tomorrow and Medicaid reform next week.

As he entered the second half of his last session as speaker, Cretul said that he would be fine if the House put up a glossy photograph of him up in the collection of speakers portraits to save the state some money. The crowed laughed when Cretul said this was not the first time anyone wanted to hang him and applauded when he was refered to as the most pro-business speaker in recent Florida history.