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Budget talks grow private
By STEVE BOUSQUET
Published April 27, 2005
TALLAHASSEE - As lawmakers rush to finish work on a new budget, decisions on spending hundreds of millions of tax dollars are being made with less public discussion.
More than a dozen House members huddled privately Monday to discuss a school financing proposal to help urban counties where living costs are higher. The $44-million proposal pits urban and rural lawmakers against each other, and is a possible barrier to compromise.
The closed session was called by Rep. Joe Pickens, R-Palatka, the lead House negotiator on education spending.
House rules require meetings between two or more legislators to be open if they are scheduled so formal action can be taken later.
Lawmakers were invited by e-mail for an overview of the education budget proposal.
"There were lots of people there. A whole lot," said Pickens. "There was certainly no secret as far as I knew."
A House staff member sent the e-mail Friday. "Sending an e-mail notice to our members is not a way to take things underground," Pickens said.
The e-mail, however, was sent only to legislators; the public was unaware of the meeting. Monday's meeting was held in a Capitol suite behind a closed door with a sign that read: "Members and appropriations staff only."
A spokesman for House Speaker Allan Bense said the session was legal because lawmakers were not agreeing on formal action.
Times staff writer Joni James contributed to this report.
[Last modified April 27, 2005, 00:47:14]
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