Crist pleased although stimulus less for Florida
TALLAHASSEE (AP) – Gov. Charlie Crist says he’s pleased with a compromise federal stimulus plan although Florida likely will get less money than anticipated.
Crist’s office had estimated Florida would get at least $10.4 billion, but that figure probably will be reduced because the $790 billion total in the compromise is lower than initially passed by either the House or Senate.
Crist, who appeared with President Barack Obama in Fort Myers on Tuesday to campaign for the stimulus, said Thursday he’s happy because just a few months ago the cash-strapped state was looking at “no stimulus at all.”
Crist pleased, although stimulus less for Florida
TALLAHASSEE (AP) – Gov. Charlie Crist said Thursday that he was still pleased with a compromise federal stimulus plan although Florida likely will get less money than anticipated.
Crist’s office earlier this week estimated Florida would get at least $10.4 billion for education, health care, transportation and other state and local government projects and services. That figure probably will be reduced because the $790 billion total in the compromise bill is less than in measures initially passed by either the House or Senate.
“I’m delighted,” said Crist, who appeared with President Barack Obama in Fort Myers on Tuesday to campaign for the stimulus. “What we were looking at just a few months ago was no stimulus at all.”
Florida officials want to use some of the federal money to help fill holes punched in the state budget by a sagging economy, but legislative leaders say they still expect more spending cuts no matter how many stimulus dollars the state gets.
Details of Wednesday’s deal remained unclear Thursday, including whether Florida might lose education stimulus funds under a provision that requires states to spend at least as much of their own money on public schools this year as they did in 2006.
State officials hope the measure will let U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan waive that requirement on a case-by-case basis.
“I think we have a very good relationship with this new administration in Washington, and if a waiver might be necessary I think we would be successful,” Crist said.
Florida currently is spending $8.5 billion in state dollars on public schools, or about $1.3 billion less than it did in the 2006-07 budget year. However, total spending per student, which combines local and state money, is up about $70 to $6,860.
A partial breakdown from the office of U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson, D-Fla., says the plan would save or create 206,000 jobs in Florida over the next two years and provide tax credits to 6.9 million Florida workers and their families – up to $400 for individuals and $800 for families.