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Special session set for Oct. 3-12
By SUZETTE PORTER
Article published on Thursday, Sept. 13, 2007 |
TALLAHASSEE – The Florida Legislature will convene in special session Oct. 3-12 to work on a plan to reduce the state’s budget.
The session, originally scheduled to begin on Sept. 18 was canceled after Ken Pruitt, president of the Senate, and Macro Rubio, speaker of the House of Representatives, announced that more work needed to be done to ensure lawmakers could come to an agreement of budget reducing measures.
On Sept. 5, Pruitt and Rubio issued a statement that said while revenue shortfalls were not yet at a level that has triggered constitutionally-mandated budget reductions; “nevertheless, we believe that it is prudent and fiscally responsible to appropriately reduce state government spending given the current financial outlook.”
The memo also said that senate and house committees and state agencies had been working on spending reduction plans. Gov. Charlie Crist also was issuing a set of budget cut recommendations.
“I am pleased to hear of the recent progress in the Legislature. I am encouraged and look forward to working with them to balance Florida’s budget as state law requires,” Crist said in a statement issued on Thursday.
Crist was in Jacksonville on Sept. 12 promoting his economic stimulus package sent last week to Pruitt and Rubio.
“While economic forecasters have predicted an even tighter budget year than we had expected, we can trim our state budget without raising taxes,” Crist said. “Equally important, we can take steps to re-fire our economy, especially in the building and construction industry – the area most in need of our support.”
The governor’s recommended economic stimulus package targets three sectors of Florida’s economy:
Housing Industry
The governor has asked state lawmakers to appropriate $50 million from trust fund reserves to the Florida Housing Finance Corporation to provide assistance to as many as 3,000 first-time home buyers. Benefits would include $10,000 to assist with making down payments and paying closing costs. The corporation would also offer home financing at one-quarter point lower than the market rate.
Building and Construction Industry
The governor also wants lawmakers to appropriate school construction funds for school districts, community colleges and state universities within the next three to six months.
Transportation Construction Industry
Crist also asked Florida Department of Transportation to expedite road construction and port improvement projects to infuse $350 million into Florida’s economy. According to a press release, he directed the department to pursue innovative partnerships and private investments to meet future transportation needs.
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Article published on Thursday, Sept. 13, 2007
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