Reactions to Governor’s Budget Recommendations

With Governor Crist’s release of his Budget Recommendations for 2008-2009 Fiscal Year, various lawmakers and policy officials have issued commentary in reaction.  Below are some of these statements.

To view the Governor’s press release on the matter, which includes a link to “The People’s Budget,” click here.

Should you have any questions or comments, please do not hesitate to contact this office.

 

STATEMENT BY CFO SINK ON THE GOVERNOR’S RECOMMENDED BUDGET FOR 2008-2009 FISCAL YEAR

TALLAHASSEE – Florida Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink issued the following statement in response to Gov. Charlie Crist’s budget recommendations for the 2008-2009 Fiscal Year:

“I applaud the Governor for his dedication to recommending a budget for the upcoming Fiscal Year that includes increased funding for essential services, such as education, health care and public safety.  As the Chair of the Healthy Kids Corporation, I am particularly encouraged that the Governor recommended a $60.6 million increase for Florida’s KidCare program that will allow more than 46,000 children access to affordable health care.  I am also pleased to see his continued commitment to environmental programs and an invigorated effort to advance a clean energy economy.”

“While I understand the current challenge to find resources in this year’s budget, I am concerned about the recommendation to sweep $129.5 million from the Workers’ Compensation Administration Trust Fund.  Through efficient management and reform of the Workers’ Compensation system, our state has been able to reduce Workers’ Compensation Administrative Trust Fund assessments from 2.75 percent to 0.25 percent, which is a 91 percent reduction over an eight-year period.  A trust fund sweep of this magnitude will require the state to raise Workers’ Compensation assessments—taxes—on Florida businesses as early as January 2009.  I look forward to working with the Governor and the Legislature to prevent assessment increases on Florida’s business owners, many of whom are struggling to balance their own budgets.”

 

STATEMENT BY SENATE FISCAL POLICY COMMITTEE CHAIR LISA CARLTON REGARDING THE GOVERNOR’S BUDGET RECOMMENDATIONS

The following statement was issued today by President Pro Tempore and Senate Fiscal Policy Committee Chair Lisa Carlton (R-Osprey), regarding Governor Crist’s budget recommendations:

“We appreciate Governor Crist’s budget recommendations and priorities and look forward to reviewing them in greater detail. There are many pieces of information that the Senate will use to build a budget this year – the most significant will be the next revenue estimating conference numbers.  Make no mistake; this is going to be a very challenging budget year. We will accomplish the task with fiscal discipline as we prioritize spending, cut costs, and strategically invest in an economic stimulus package for our state. It is critical that we approach our work with a long-term view, keeping a keen eye on the condition of our economy in Florida and nationally.”

 

STATEMENT BY HOUSE MINORITY LEADER DAN GELBER:

FLORIDA’S FAITH BASED BUDGET

TALLAHASSEE – House Democratic Leader Dan Gelber issued the following statement regarding Gov. Charlie Crist’s budget recommendations for the 2008-2009 fiscal year:

“While I think it may be more of a faith based budget than one grounded in reality, at least the governor recognizes that Florida can’t sustain massive cuts to education, health care and public security.

“Florida got itself into this budget mess by making bad decisions over the course of at least the last decade with tax giveaways for special interests and the legislature’s refusal to rebalance our revenue base. It will take more than one budget cycle to get us out of this mess.”