House, Senate reach budget agreement

House, Senate reach budget agreement

TALLAHASSEE, FL - Leaders in both the House and the Senate completed negotiations Sunday on approximately $5 billion in budget cuts for this year. The budget plan now needs approval from both groups of lawmakers and from Governor Charlie Crist.

This being a lean year for funding, the everglades restoration project that was expected to have it’s funding cut by half to $100 million receives nothing this year. Lawmakers said the state will hopefully be able to find the money next year to continue the project

The budget in it’s final form could be given to lawmakers as early as Monday, but because of a required 72 hour waiting period, a vote is not possible before Thursday, a day before the 60-day regular session is due to end. The budget is the only bill the Legislature is required by the state constitution to pass every year.

The last-minute agreement includes reductions in public school per-student spending by about $140, a five percent pay cut for legislators and cutting 200 probation officer positions from the Department of Corrections. The budget also includes a 6 percent hike in community college and university tuition and a variety of court-related fees will be increased to offset cutbacks in the judicial system.

The budget, which will take effect July 1, is about $6 billion less than last year, a victim of the souring state economy and a downturn in tax revenues.