Stalled Budget Talks May Extend Session into 'Tallahassee Spring'

The Senate is looking to extend the regular session to complete the $70 billion budget if the House proposed cuts to higher education are approved.

With budget talks stalled between the House and Senate, senators told President Mike Haridopolos, R-Merritt Island, on Tuesday that they continue to support him if the Legislature should return after the session ends March 9.

What is more important is we do it right, said Sen. Andy Gardiner, R-Orlando,

Sen. J.D. Alexander, R-Lake Wales, who heads the Senate Budget Committee, said talks to set up the budget process with his House counterpart Rep. Denise Grimsley, R-Sebring, had been held up over how cuts to higher education should be made.

On Monday, leaders of both chambers had described the preconference talks as running smoothly.

The Senate has proposed $300 million in cuts from existing reserves, considered nonrecurring funds, while the House is seeking to take $200 million from academic programs, considered recurring.

Senate Minority Leader Nan Rich, D-Sunrise, supported the Senates position to make the higher education cuts nonrecurring.

At the start of the session, Haridopolos got bipartisan backing from senators to delay -- if necessary -- the session for the budget process.

Sens. Don Gaetz, R-Niceville, and Chris Smith, D-Oakland Park, gathered the signatures as a sign of support, giving Haridopolos the discretion to hold off the budget process while awaiting updated revenue projections made closer to the start of the next fiscal year.

Smith and Gaetz repeated they are united on the budget. Gaetz said Tuesday he would support remaining into the Tallahassee spring.