Florida Senate Pushing Ahead With Budget – For Now

January 18, 2012

Senate leaders continued Tuesday to leave open the possibility of delaying the end of the legislative session until they get more definitive word on what the state’s revenue picture will look like in the budget year that begins July 1.

“We are actively working on completing a budget on time,” said Senate President Mike Haridopolos, R-Merritt Island. “That is our unquestioned goal.”

But at the same time, Haridopolos and other Senate leaders said they were still wary of some of the volatility in individual revenue streams, even after state economists said last week they were relatively confident in the latest revenue estimates, which still leaves the Legislature facing a nearly $2 billion budget shortfall.

“At the end of the day, we’re here not to race a clock,” said Senate Budget Chairman J.D. Alexander, R-Lake Wales, “but to do a good, quality job of taking the best available information to make the best possible decisions about spending the taxpayers’ dollars in a way that keeps our economy moving and meets our needs as best we possibly can.”

Haridopolos and Alexander made the comments at a joint media availability with Sen. Don Gaetz, R-Niceville, one of the leaders of a movement to get senators behind a letter giving Haridopolos what Gaetz described as a “vote of confidence” on working out the budget endgame. Gaetz said every member of the Senate who had seen the letter so far has signed on.

By The News Service of Florida

Comments

3 Responses to “Florida Senate Pushing Ahead With Budget – For Now”

  1. Dishearted on January 19th, 2012 3:03 pm

    Ever wonder why our Local Leaders make$75,000 a year for a part time job. try to something about it. you cant. I would like to have a part time job that pay that good+++++ all the perks..no accountability

  2. Dishearted on January 19th, 2012 2:54 pm

    Speaking about our Local,State,Federal leaders.I think I need a new car and more help, its not my money so who cares.Its all about ME and MINE……

  3. Kathy on January 18th, 2012 5:08 pm

    Good ol boys in the sand box!!

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News