Faced with a $2 billion budget shortfall, and receiving word Thursday that little change is expected in the projected revenue stream, Senate President Mike Haridopolos, R-Merritt Island, got bipartisan backing Friday 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.
That could mean taking a week or two off in the middle of the regular session in order to get updated numbers from state economists.
We believe, as you do, that it is of paramount importance that we build a budget based on the most accurate and reliable revenue estimates possible, as our budget decisions here in Tallahassee affect the lives of every Floridian, states the petition, which was still circulating Friday.
On Thursday, state economists, sitting as the Revenue Estimating Committee, added $46 million to the forecast of taxes the state will collect, but that little affected the projected shortfall for the fiscal year that begins July 1.
The idea of delaying or extending the session hasnt been warmly embraced on the other side of the Capitol.
House Speaker Dean Cannon, R-Winter Park, has repeatedly expressed confidence that the budget would be completed within the scheduled time frame.
There are inherent risks and uncertainty with any forecast, but none that cant be overcome with conservative budgeting, planning for contingencies and setting aside ample reserves, Cannon stated in a release following the release of the Revenue Estimating Committee numbers on Thursday.
One of the best ways we can hope to improve the outlook for future years is by demonstrating the certainty and stability that empowers private-sector job creators with the confidence to make informed decisions for their business and families. To do this, we must finish our work on time, within the allotted 60 days of the regular session."
In his opening remarks when the session began on Tuesday, Haridopolos asked members if they would be willing to wait on the budget, focusing first on the once-a-decade redistricting.
Haridopolos has previously suggested the budget be delayed until the states Revenue Estimating Committee could provide estimates closer to the July 1 start of the new fiscal year.
The letter from Gaetz and Smith:
That said, we understand and share in your grave concerns regarding the possible volatility in the revenue estimates. We believe, as you do, that it is of paramount importance that we build a budget based on the most accurate and reliable revenue estimates possible, as our budget decisions here in Tallahassee affect the lives of every Floridian.
Because of the once-a-decade redistricting process, we are constitutionally mandated to begin the 2012 session two months earlier than we would normally convene. This leaves us without the March revenue estimates that we typically have when constructing and finalizing our annual budget, and forces us to accept the revenue estimates we receive in January, which lacks revenue information for January and February.
As you said, the budget is the ultimate policy manual, and it is in our best interest to maximize every dollar we have -- be it for education, health care, economic development or infrastructure needs. And given the uncertainty in the economy currently and the pressing needs that our state has, we applaud your calls to proceed with the budget process at a thoughtful and deliberate pace.
We have confidence in your leadership, and ask that you use your discretion in deciding whether to follow the latest revenue estimates, or to delay finalizing the budget until we have more information.
Reach Jim Turner at jturner@sunshinestatenews.com or at (772) 215-9889.
