Just in case, a bleaker-than-ever budget

As state government agencies cope with mandatory 4 percent holdbacks, they are drawing up plans for 10 percent cuts next year if the economy keeps tanking. Gov. Charlie Crist, who will submit his next budget to the Legislature in January, ordered the recommendations as a contingency plan, aides say. But Florida faces a $900-million shortfall in the current year and a projected shortfall of $3.5-billion next year and a new and likely gloomy revenue forecast will be issued on Nov. 21, right after the election.

Could it happen? The Crist contingency plan presents a picture of fewer state troopers on state highways, longer lines at driver license offices, and closings of juvenile detention centers and crime labs. Nearly 500 probation officer jobs would be wiped out in the Department of Corrections. Back on the chopping block, as usual, is the elimination of dentures, eyeglasses and hearing aids for poor people on Medicaid. Here's a timely cost-cutting idea: Some money Florida spends to combat voter fraud would be cut -- and that could result in the loss of $66-million in federal funds under the Help America Vote Act.

Even Crist's office claims it could not take a 10 percent cut: "The Executive Office could not sustain a reduction of this magnitude," the report says. Check out the agencies' proposals here.

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Comments

And some of you RINOs out there think McCain should have picked the shifless Governor who presided over THIS?

Is Barack Obama qualified to be President of the United States?

Voice your opinion at:

http://www.browardrepublicanwomen.org/poll.htm

I'm having to duck constantly because of all the houses flying off the market due to the passage of the property tax reform amendment.

The governor's executive office would probably be one of the easiest agencies or depts. in Florida state government to shave off 10% in expenditures. Give me a break!

Cuts, to start: DMS, duplicate positions in the gigantic, shiny state education building...

What if the economy drops more than 10%? Now is a perfect time to do some government trimming, Charlie. It got super-bloated with the artifically inflated property appraisals and the real estate boom that is now bust. Start cutting and don't stop 'til you get past the fat. And let me make a suggestion where to cut for greatest effect: CHOP AT THE TOP.

I want to point out a bit of irony. It's really funny.

Has anyone noticed on the news lately that more and more people are being foreclosed upon because their variable rate mortgage kicked their mortgage up several hundred dollars and they can no longer make their payments? And some are still in their houses, but are way behind in their payments for the same reason - like the old guy that got thrown in jail for a brown lawn?

Now here's the irony: The banks that made those loans say they are now "stuck" with "toxic mortgages"...like the one carried by the old guy that spent the night in jail. So what do we do? We bail them out to the tune of $850 billion. Who pays for that bailout? Taxpayers like you and me...and the old guy with the brown lawn.

Wow, that budget is going to drop like a rock...

Thank God we have a leader who is present and engaged in this state-wide crisis... right, Charlie?

Charlie?

Um, Charlie...? Hello? Hello?

charlie...?

http://www.emptychaircharlie.com/page/content/ecc-index/

Governor Crist, now that the economic crisis has clearly demonstrated that govenment regulation need to be stepped up, I would like to suggest that you eliminate all tax breaks and tax incentives given to big business, and use the extra money to fund new government regulatory positions. It may cost us a little bit more, but it will save us big time in the long run, as we preserve our beaches and wetlands and support the non-destructive tourism which had been the mainstay of our economy before the housing and construction gluttons were allowed to have their way.

Specifically, I think you should visit floridataxwatch.org and selectively target the corporations listed in the "Taxwatch Board and Officers and Trustees." These are the fanatics who, strictly out of corporate greed, have pushed for the "tax reform" which has fostered deregulation, destroyed our economy, and threatens to bankrupt our government.

When it comes to elimination of corporate tax breaks, the best place to start is with the wealthy CEOs and Board members, so:

CHOP AT THE TOP CHOP AT THE TOP!

Problem solved!

Here's an even better idea, Charlie, CHOP AT THE TOP in state government, then those oh-so-bright, oh-so-underpaid geniuses currently trapped in government jobs will be free to seek high-paid jobs in Florida corporations - jobs more suited to their outstanding talents and dedication.

CHOP AT THE TOP! CHOP AT THE TOP!

How does Secretary South envision meeting the requirements of LAW if the Council on Efficient Government is eliminated? She is assuming quite a bit by suggesting funding cuts for a program created in LAW...

But then again, as someone who has always lived at the public trough, why would she want oversight of public contracting...

Ask Linda South... while you were getting your late-in-life degree, who paid you, how much, for what services and did you previously have a relationship with the contractor?

Team DMS:

Last night, our agency submitted its Legislative Budget Request to the Florida Legislature. This request is a snapshot of how our agency will spend its budget during the 2009-2010 fiscal year beginning July 1, 2009. We are required by law to submit the request well in advance of the next session so lawmakers have time to decide how much money we need to support our agency.

In addition, we must submit a Schedule VIIIB which is an exercise to reduce our current budget by 10 percent. Like many of you, and other Florida families, we have tough decisions to make when it comes to our budget. That means proposing cuts to certain programs, positions and duties. In this exercise, we propose cutting Fleet Management, Federal Property and the Council on Efficient Government. We also propose reducing salaries and benefits in various programs and reducing SUNCOM payments; distribution to counties and providers and grant program – E911 and National Guard pensions and benefits. The reductions total $15.6 million.

This is not easy news to share especially since there is so much uncertainty. The budget for the next fiscal year is decided by the entire legislative body and approved by the governor in May or June. So even though these programs are offered as part of the necessary exercise, we still don't know what the final budget will be. Please know that we do not make these decisions lightly, but this a necessary exercise we must do. It does not diminish our need to do the very best we can, to serve with C.L.A.S.S. and continue top-notch service for our customers. We are in this together.

Thank you for all you do,

Linda
Linda H. South, Secretary
Department of Management Services

[Andrew Allan]

Good start, Ms. South. Good start.

I'm tired of ideologues who say America's the best country on Earth, but we should have third-rate schools, hospitals, transport, police, etc.

Why is it always the people who wear patriotism on their sleeves who scream to cut our schools, cut our police, cut our libraries, cut our parks, cut our health care, etc.?

Gee wilikers, 2:22, calm down. We don't want to cut any of those things. We just want to cut some of the bloated salaries and administrative fat. As a taxpayer, you should too. We all need to be working harder and more efficiently, don't you agree?

If you're at the top of the heap, earning one of those bloated salaries, you probably do not. But if you're a little guy like me who has seen his/her wages stagnate while the do-nothing bigwigs rack up big increases, you know what I'm talking about.

CHOP AT THE TOP! CHOP AT THE TOP!

You won't need probation officers and corrections officers if you simply eliminate crimes. Get rid of burglary, robbery, DUI, Battery, Possession of Anything. Then get rid of all juvenile crimes. Eliminate all child abuse investigators, etc.

Can we just focus on the gay marriage ban? This budget stuff is so irrelevant!

Andrew Allan - not so fast, do you realize the the Council on Efficient Government and Fleet Management are paid out of fees collected on the state's online purchasing system?

If the money isn't spent on those items, they revert back to (or at least they used to) the contractor responsible for administering the online purchasing system.

So, a majority of her recommended cuts are not cuts at all...

As for salary reductions... Linda South has a habit of paying her little boy toys in excess of $100,000 per year... there is a place to start - and cut a few of the $100,000 plus per year jobs she created....

[Andrew Allan]

Holy tamoly! Say it ain't so, Linda!!!!!

Tax Reform organization like Florida Taxwatch are entirely funded and run by Big Business. The only reform they are interested in is eliminating government oversight of their slash and burn business tactics. Connect the dots - less taxes means less oversight. Less overisight means more pollution, destruction, and building in natural areas and beaches. More coastal growth equals less tourism and higher insurance rates. Less business regulation equals more sub-prime loans, more bogus real estate transactions, plummeting home prices, unemployment, and everything else that contributed to our present crisis. There, I did it for you!

Let's eliminate the tax breaks for rich CEOs, corporations and big business, and use the money to pay for regulation.

CHOP AT THE TOP!

Problem Solved!

[Ignatius]

3:37,

How about providing an example (i.e. a piece of legislation, an executive order, etc.) which resultedd in less regulation that you claim led to "more sub-prime loans, more bogus real estate transactions, plummeting home prices, unemployment, and everything else"?

Do you even know what a sub-prime loan is?

CHOP AT THE TOP!
CHOP AT THE TOP!
CHOP AT THE TOP!

Jumpin' Jimminy, 3:37 - You going to let Ignatius talk to you like that!?????

[Joe "the unlicensed plumber."]

If I was rich and owned my own plumbing company, I know McCain would be better for me. Less government, less taxes, and less regulation rocks!

Come on Ms. South - fess up about the 6 figure contract that only required you to produce a 40 page report (that is less than a page per week) which allowed you to get your degree (you know, the one you feel so strongly about that you only let people with degrees have offices with a door at DMS - experience doesn't matter)...

It's okay, you can say it, let everyone know you fed at the public trough for a good portion of your life...

Come on Ms. South - fess up about the 6 figure contract that only required you to produce a 40 page report (that is less than a page per week) which allowed you to get your degree (you know, the one you feel so strongly about that you only let people with degrees have offices with a door at DMS - experience doesn't matter)...

It's okay, you can say it, let everyone know you fed at the public trough for a good portion of your life...

What about your $100,000 a year buddy who used to work for the gambling industry - the one you allowed to work out of his Orlando home 1-2 days a week... the one you still provide a bully pulpit to through your employee newsletter...

And Ms. South, have you ever filled out a dual employment form? You know, since you owned a business (someone finally told you what to do and you transferred the company to your brother in Georgia)... but that doesn't negate the fact that you got paid consulting fees to a company doing work for a local workforce development board while you were at AWI...

let me clarify, so you don't have a rebuttal to the reporters...

Your company was not paid while you were at AWI, but you were still the legal owner of the business...

and that business at one point received payment from an entity that received money from AWI...

which begs the question - did you ever give preferential treatment while at AWI?

Come on reporters....

Land sakes alive! Where do I sign up for one of them $100 K jobs????

For what it's worth, the state government does not get revenue from property taxes. Its general revenue is funded by five cents of sales tax and a corporate income tax. Various fees and fines go to trust funds at the agencies.

4:56 - are you male? If not, no chance with Ms. South...

Just need to take a look at who she has hired to surround herself with... men making $100,000 plus, and then women in similarly important jobs making $80,000 or less...

4:56 - the only other hope is if you are a Crummer graduate... then you can get a job that doesn't require you to be at the office 5 days a week, and you will make $100,000...

Plus, as a graduate, you will get an office with a door

Wonder how Alex Sink feels about Ms. South wanting to eliminate the Council... the same Council Sink touted and Charlie shared responsibility with....

Wonder if Charlie's office even knew she was offering up a statutorily required office?

These are all questions a reporter should delve into... Jennifer, Steve, Alex... the information is out there... DOS, Division of Corporations (Pagosa)... bet you find a transfer of ownersheip to a person in Georgia...

Brevard Workforce Development Board - after South left, were there any contracts with Pagosa? How much, for what services, what timeframe, when did she attend Crummer?

Who placed the call to Ms. South letter her know that her original resignation letter was being accepted (she was originally not wanted by Charlie)? When did Charlie's shop call asking if she wanted to be head of DMS (hint - 3 hours before the press conference, and shortly after the Kevin Hyde fiasco)...

Where is JD Alexander? After his airplane letter, I am sure he would have some choice comments about Ms. South - especially since all this information is verifiable on the internet... or by placing a phone call to Charlie's transition team (assuming they are honest)

http://sunbiz.org/pdf/424702DC.pdf

Although Linda South was deleted on the previous filing, the dissolution was done under her name a year later...

http://sunbiz.org/pdf/32451390.pdf

I am very concerned about the potential cuts, but what jumps out at me are those to the juvenile justice department and the probation cuts. Why is it that kids get the knife all the time? Proven programs or not. What will happen to those kids - placed in adult prison? A new pod in country jail for kids only? Where they are not forced to go to school or to learn anything? Where there is not one iota of guidance in the form of mentoring or counseling? When we know that those things work?

And what happens to the POs? They are already overworked and you want to cut 500? Already the oversight is lax. We need more, not less! This could have a direct impact on crime.

And then to cut hearing aids, dentures, and glasses for seniors? Seriously?! Let's just strip them of their sense of taste while we're at it. All while driving tests are not required? Yep, someone who cannot hear or see driving.

We can deal with longer lines. Find more lines to make longer. These are detrimental to safety and future.

Linda South's comments about the Council only 2 months ago...

Letter from the Chairman

The Council on Efficient Government (Council) plays a vital role in state government by creating an environment where enterprise-wide projects can be conceived, developed, and successfully
implemented. The Council’s mission
is to review, evaluate, and provide
advice on agency outsourcing and
best practices, as well as to coordinate and apply lessons learned
to increase governmentaccountability.
The Florida Efficient Government Act
was created in 2006. The Council is
comprised of seven members from
the public and private sectors,
appointed by the governor. The
legislature recognized that agencies
should focus on their core missions
and deliver other services by
outsourcing or contracting with
private sector providers when these providers can more
effectively and efficiently provide the services, and reduce the
overall cost of government.
As chairman, it’s my honor to be part of such a wonderfully diverse and knowledgeable team. During the past year, theCouncil and its staff reviewed 21 business cases valued at morethan $94 million and trained 130 state employees in business case development and submission best practices. Additionally, the Council delivered a special report to the governor on key findings and lessons learned for three large statewide projects with a combined value of over $550 million. By thoroughly evaluating each business case and educating state employees, we ensure both sound business practices and accountability are applied to the investment of state funds.

Sincerely,

Linda H. South
Chairman
Council on Efficient Government

Linda South - the word for today is hypocrite!

During FY 2007-2008, the
Council reviewed a total of
21 business cases valued
at more than $94 million,
identifying more than $29
million in potential
savings to the state.

But lets cut 6 positions to save the state some money... yeah, that's the ticket!

I will not pay sales tax on my skybox seat.

I will not pay sales tax on my ostrich feed.

I will not pay sales tax on my super bowl tickets.

Don't tax me and don't tax thee. Tax that man behind the tree.

Hey Secretary South - was travelling Friday... sorry I couldn't keep on you...

Lets go to Fleet Management...

Fleet Management

Fleet Management manages the acquisition, operation, maintenance, and disposal of the state's fleet of motor vehicles and watercraft. The state's fleet includes approximately 25,000 units, the fleet includes automobiles & light trucks, medium & heavy trucks, construction & industrial equipment, tractors & mowers, and small utility, motorcycles & ATVs.

Responsibilities of this program area include developing policies and practices for effective and efficient acquisition, assignment, use, maintenance and disposal of vehicles and watercraft. In addition, Fleet Management determines motor vehicles and watercraft to be included on state contracts; develops technical bid specifications; and assists in evaluating the contracts. This area ensures the cost-effective acquisition of safe, energy-efficient and quality vehicles and watercraft. This service approves the purchase of vehicles and watercraft, develops equipment purchase approval guidelines, develops fleet replacement criteria, and administers the state's federally mandated fueled vehicles program.