Sansom: Crist should offset any cuts vetoed
TALLAHASSEE (AP) – Florida House Speaker Ray Sansom said Gov. Charlie Crist should suggest ways to offset any items he vetoes in a deficit-elimination package when he submits his recommendations for the next state budget.
And, Senate President Jeff Atwater said he’s worried reducing already thin reserves in the $2.6 billion deficit reduction plan for the current budget year could harm Florida’s bond rating, resulting in higher interest rates when the state borrows money.
Crist made his strongest comments so far Thursday about plans to veto some items, particularly cuts that forced layoffs of 66 probation officers and a reduction in bonuses for teachers who earn national board certification. The governor also is considering restoring funds cut from the Florida Forever environmental lands program and the state’s affordable housing program.
“As I have hinted – not really hinted so much but almost acknowledged – I think that next week you’ll see some changes to some of the reductions,” Crist said at the annual legislative planning session for editors and reporters hosted by The Associated Press.
Sansom, R-Destin, and Atwater, R-North Palm Beach, followed Crist to the podium on the Capitol’s 22nd floor observation deck. They defended $1.2 billion in spending cuts in the package lawmakers passed at a special session last week. Crist is expected to sign a budget bill (SB 2-A) and conforming legislation but he has the power to veto line items.
“He certainly has the constitutional right to veto it, I respect it,” Sansom said. “What all we expect is whatever areas that he might veto that we would see that difference made up in the budget he recommends to us.”
Sansom and Atwater later sent Crist a letter letting him delay his recommendations for the budget year beginning July 1, by 18 days until Feb. 20. Crist asked for more time to determine how the deficit legislation and a promised federal stimulus plan may affect the new budget.
U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor, a member of the House Energy & Commerce Committee, said in a news release that she expects Congress to appropriate $4.3 billion in federal matching money for Medicaid patients in Florida.
The money must be spent on children, seniors and pregnant women and will let the state offset cuts in other parts of its budget, said Castor, D-Tampa.
Atwater stressed that the state must tighten its budget without hurting its bond rating.