Senate may pass budget, let Bush deal with fallout

The governor's plan reduces class sizes, but deeply cuts funds for higher education and for some social services.

By ALISA ULFERTS, Times Staff Writer
© St. Petersburg Times
published February 15, 2003

TALLAHASSEE -- Florida senators are playing a game of chicken with the House and Gov. Jeb Bush, daring them to embrace a proposed state budget that critics say would hurt schools, the environment and the poor.

Two weeks before the legislative session starts, key senators have slowed efforts to find money to increase spending beyond what Bush recommends. Instead, they suggest they might pass Bush's spending plan. It would then be up to the House to approve it and send it to Bush to sign into law, or adjust it and trigger further negotiations.

Bush's proposed budget allocates money to start reducing class sizes as required by the constitutional amendment approved by voters last year. But it reduces higher education spending by $111-million and cuts deeply into some social services.

"We believe that the governor would not have given us a budget he could not operate his agencies on," said Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Ken Pruitt, R-Port St. Lucie.

Republicans who control the Senate, unlike their House counterparts, are uncomfortable with some of Bush's proposed cuts. But key senators indicated they aren't eager to fight for more money if the House and the governor refuse to budge. House Speaker Johnnie Byrd, R-Plant City, and Bush say they oppose raising taxes or eliminating tax exemptions this year.

"I've been in two-to-one fights before," said Senate President Jim King, R-Jacksonville. "They're hard to win."

In 1992, Democratic Gov. Lawton Chiles proposed a state budget filled with spending cuts, hoping to force legislators to raise taxes. When legislators approved it, Chiles vetoed it.

Bush, although acknowledging he wished the budget picture were rosier, isn't disavowing his budget proposal. He has encouraged senators to approve it.

"I submitted this budget not as a charade," Bush said this week. "This was a serious effort to deal with the priorities of this state, deal with the amendments, particularly Amendment 9, and not raise taxes during uncertain economic times. So I'm proud of the budget."

House Appropriations Chairman Bruce Kyle, R-Fort Myers, said the House is writing its own state budget proposal.

The percolating stalemate highlights the acrimony between the House and the Senate. King last week urged voters to oppose Bush's spending plan.

"Living within your means," he said, "does not mean you have to make foolish financial decisions."

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