Politics

Back in session

By STEVE BOUSQUET, Times Tallahassee Bureau Chief
Published October 3, 2007

Michelle Singletary, technology support supervisor for the Florida House of Representatives, tests the last computer of the day in the House chamber Tuesday afternoon.
	[Scott Keeler | Times]

The Florida Legislature convenes in special session today for the third time this year. This session, known as Special Session C, deals with two issues: cutting the budget and reinstating personal-injury protection for motorists.

8 Days of the session, today through Oct. 12, no weekends

$1B Approximate amount to be cut

1.4 Approximate percentage of budget

$40,000 Cost of session per day

1 Number of special sessions still to come this month

Proposed cuts

$147.5M Teacher merit pay plan

$228M Cuts in public education: K-12 public schools (at least $138-million; universities (at least $68-million); universal prekindergarten ($22-million)

Proposed increases

5 Proposed percent increase in state university and community college tuition ($11.4-million)

5,000 Proposed additional slots to the KidCare health insurance program ($3.8-million)

Source: Florida Legislature

[Last modified October 3, 2007, 00:09:39]