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Groups make plea for state funds
By SAUNDRA AMRHEIN and KENT FISCHER LAND O'LAKES -- The annual meeting of Pasco County's legislative delegation was peppered with good-natured laughter, even though it started with an ominous warning. "It's going to be a tough year based on the economy and tightness of funds," delegation chairman and state Sen. Victor Crist, R-Tampa, told the community members who were assembled at the School Board offices Thursday and ready to ask for money. "We're going to have to make some tough choices," Crist said. However, Pasco's voice could be louder this year. Thanks to redistricting, its number of House and Senate delegates has grown from seven to nine. Districts of the following members now encompass part of the county: Sen. Tom Lee, R-Brandon; House Speaker Johnnie Byrd, R-Plant City; and Rep. Gus Bilirakis, R-Palm Harbor. The district now held by state Sen. Mike Fasano, R-New Port Richey, absorbed most of two old districts: that of former Republican state Sen. Jack Latvala, who stepped down due to term limits; and former state Sen. Ginny Brown-Waite, who was elected last year to the U.S. House of Representatives. The delegation also includes Reps. Ken Littlefield, Heather Fiorentino, Dave Russell and Tom Anderson. The price tag on the list of projects to be backed by delegation members totaled almost $20.5-million. The requests range from funding for an adolescent intervention center to programs for the elderly to help for sexual assault victims. Pasco County Sheriff Bob White appeared at the meeting, asking the delegation for help netting almost $4.5-million from the state budget this upcoming session for child protection investigators, the secondary victims unit and the juvenile assessment center. "We have to do all we can" for children, White said. Lawmakers met earlier in the day with representatives from Pasco-Hernando Community College. College president Robert Judson not only pitched PHCC's needs, but also implored them not to cut funds for community colleges across the state. PHCC wasn't asking for the moon, he said. In fact, he didn't even ask for additional funding for the 23 percent enrollment increase the college is expecting this academic year. Judson simply asked lawmakers to pony up for the students the college absorbed last year but did not get funded for. Another 1,400 students are expected at PHCC next year, he said. Florida's community colleges will need an additional $44-million next year to hold cutbacks at bay, Judson said. If that increase becomes reality, PHCC could see a $1.2-million bump. Community colleges on the whole got $1.2-billion this year. The college also asked lawmakers to make good on the state's promise to match philanthropic donations. The college's nonprofit foundation is owed approximately $650,000 in matching funds, according to executive director Bob Barnett. PHCC also needs $4-million for new buildings, expansion and renovations for enrollment growth, Judson said. Crist asked for their patience. "Please understand that we're going to do our best," Crist said. "If there is money out there to be had, you can bet we'll try to grab it" for Pasco.
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From today's Pasco Times |
