2 budgets must be made one
The Senate plan spends more money than the House does.
By STEVE BOUSQUET
Published April 13, 2007
TALLAHASSEE - Florida lawmakers passed differing versions of a new budget Thursday, with the Senate much more in a spending mood than the House.
Senators want to spend nearly $600-million on construction-ready road, bridge and port projects that they say will reduce gridlock and jump-start the economy.
"We are investing in building Florida's future," said Sen. Lisa Carlton, R-Osprey, reciting the Senate's budget mantra.
In contrast, the more fiscally conservative House sets aside nearly $2-billion in reserves.
The differences will be resolved over the next three weeks by a House-Senate conference committee. Passage of a budget is the only action lawmakers are required to take in their annual 60-day session.
One of the most controversial parts of the budget is a shortfall in funding for people with developmental disabilities.
The Agency for Persons with Disabilities faces a $153-million deficit, and budget proposals attempt to cover all that red ink by limiting services for about 30,000 disabled residents who live with families or in group homes.
"We have done a very, very terrible thing to the most vulnerable people in our state," said Sen. Nancy Argenziano, R-Dunnellon.
"I am very troubled by this bill," said Sen. Ronda Storms, R-Brandon, "but I don't know a better way right now. It's a way to reduce the costs."
An area of harmony is education, where both budgets increase per-pupil public school spending 6.8 percent and provide $2.7-billion more to reduce class sizes.
The increase in the education budget relies on an infusion of $545-million more from local property taxes. Lawmakers elected to leave untouched the state-imposed tax rate for public education.
House Democrats criticized that decision, even as they voted for the budget Thursday.
Even where the House and Senate are in agreement, they are at odds with Gov. Crist.
The Legislature supports 5 percent tuition increases for universities and community colleges. Crist opposes tuition hikes and hinted at a veto if they survive budget negotiations.
Times staff writers Rebecca Catalanello and Shannon Colavecchio-Van Sickler contributed to this report.
Fast Facts:
Plan differences
Spending proposals were passed by the Senate and House Thursday. The Senate's overall budget is $71.9-billion, and the House's is $70.3-billion - a $1.6-billion difference. Here are some key differences to be worked out by a budget conference committee.FLU VACCINEHouse: It has set aside $8-million to stockpile vaccines for a possible pandemic flu epidemic.Senate: No funds are yet in the budget.Gov. Charlie Crist has requested $36.7-million.ROADSThe Senate spends $585-million more than the House on construction-ready road and bridge projects, seaport improvements and Interstate 95 lanes.TEACHERSThe House spends $200-million for bonuses of up to 10 percent for outstanding teachers, $53-million more than the Senate. (Crist wants $295-million.)VOTINGHouse: Allocated $28-million to replace touchscreen machines with units equipped with paper trails. Senate: Suggested buying the equipment with federal money.WATERSenate: Water, wastewater and sewer improvements, a hometown priority of lawmakers, would get $146-million.House: These items would get $100-million.Source: Florida LegislatureWhat's next?A Senate and House conference committee will begin meeting next week to reconcile the two versions of the budget. Their work must be acceptable to Gov. Charlie Crist.