The hunt for red (ink in) October

They're underway. The Florida Legislature convened Wednesday morning to begin the unpleasant work of cutting spending by about $1-billion from the $72-billion state budget. The proceedings are so tightly scripted that in a single burst of committee meetings Wednesday afternoon, senators will be "finalizing their work product," as Sen. Lisa Carlton, R-Osprey, put it in a morning briefing.

Democrats are upset that Republicans won't allow debate on elimination of tax cuts passed during former Gov. Jeb Bush's tenure or older tax exemptions.

Gov. Charlie Crist stopped by the Senate for the swearing-in ceremonies for the chamber's newest member, Sen. Charlie Dean, R-Inverness -- who also was celebrating his 43rd wedding anniversary.

Comments

"Democrats are upset that Republicans won't allow debate on elimination of tax cuts..."

The majority sees nothing to discuss. Why should the MINORITY control?

Good for the Republicans!

A budget briefing? In public? Was Gelber invited?

[Pathetic Spin]

"The Florida Legislature convened Wednesday morning to begin the unpleasant work of cutting spending by about $1-billion from the $72-billion state budget."

Oh yes, how arduous it must be to cut 0.014% of a budget loaded with pork. The poor Legislature… I wonder if they were able to even sleep last night… aside from all that tapping noise coming from the bathroom.

Hey, here’s a thought… why don’t they ask the millions of Floridians who’ve had to trim their budgets in order to keep from loosing their homes because “special interest owned” Chuck and the boys lied about property insurance and tax reform.

What do you say to that, criminals? We pay for your cell phone, try using it to call one of us for our thoughts.

11:14

You have no idea how state budgets are put together. Yes, there is alot of money in it and plenty of things to cut to achieve the desired reduction. The problem is that the loss of revenue requires the legislature to cut recurring appropriations(programs and funding that require money over many years. ie. Medicaid, Corrections, health and human services, higher ed. ect.). The junk you refer to is typically found in the non-recurring appropriations (or one time/one year funding). It is true that the Legislature could cut non-recurring appropriations and use the money to fund recurring $, but that would just make the hole bigger in subsequent years on the recurring side. The better option is to cut the recurring programs now to a lower base so that if revenues go up again, we are starting with a lowere base on our recurring budget and can increase funding levels as the economy dictates.

1:20... that's why it's called an "Annual Budget Process", moron.

If you can't cut 0.014% out of an annual "already bloated" budget, then you couldn't balance a thought... let alone a budget.

Sell your talking points to your media minions...jerkweed. And get back to work on my dime, boneheaded staffer.

You proved my point with your reasoned response. The very "annual" you refer to is the point, but I guess they didnt go over that on the GED. Plus, I make waaay to much to be on the state's dime. Now go get me my dry cleaning already

Great retort there, JV...

Typical minion response… no answers, just attack! I’m surprised you could even spell GED. And it’s off to the dry cleaners for you, to pick up your idiot boss' spooged-on shirts. Make sure you have them, and a bottle of wine, back in his hotel room by 7:45… staffer boy-toy.

… you get to play gimp-in-the-box tonight! Make sure you wash the ball-gag!

… damn pickle-sniffers make me sick.