Florida Senate Approves $71.2 Billion Budget Package

The Florida Senate approved, with a number of Democrats actually voting in support, a $71.2 billion budget Thursday.

Expect there to be serious conference negotiations over college tuition and reductions in hospital payments with two weeks remaining in the regular session as the House had approved its own $69.2 billion budget package earlier this month.

The Senate voted 33-6 in support of the budget bill.

An exasperated Senate Budget Committee Chairman J.D. Alexander, R-Lake Wales, said with legislators facing a $1.4 billion shortfall, rather than increase taxes the Senate dipped into nonrecurring funds to help bridge the state until the economy improves.

Im glad this is my last term -- Ive done my best, Im ready for somebody else to give it a try, Alexander said.

Senate Minority Leader Sen. Nan Rich, D-Sunrise, objected to the use of nearly $400 million from the reserves of the states 12 universities for the budget, to increase college tuition, without eliminating tax loopholes that have been enjoyed by corporations.

However, Sen. Jeremy Ring, D-Margate, said he planned to vote against the budget until he realized he didnt have better proposals to restore proposed education funding cuts.