Lawmakers set to begin tough session
TALLAHASSEE (AP) – The 2009 legislative session will be dominated by the struggle to handle an economy that keeps on sliding, but it’s not all lawmakers will be dealing with when they begin work Tuesday.
More than 2,000 bills have been filed for consideration during the 60-day session covering a wide area of subjects – cell phone use in cars, making government records more accessible, sexual education in schools, the regulation of tanning salons and much more.
But freefalling state revenue, even with federal stimulus money that will help fill in some holes, will be at the top of lawmakers’ thoughts.
“The economy and the budget is going to drive almost everything,” said lobbyist Mac Stipanovich. “It won’t be the only story but it will certainly be the dominant story.”
It means lawmakers are not only thinking about what to cut, but even the Republicans who control the Legislature are talking about how to raise money. Among consideration will be raising the cigarette tax, getting rid of some sales tax exemptions and finding new money from gambling.
“Nothing would bring a Republican starkly close to voting for that (the cigarette tax) except for this year,” said Stipanovich, whose clients include R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co.
Gov. Charlie Crist has proposed a $66.5 billion budget – a $1 billion increase – without new taxes. It relies on $4.7 billion from the federal stimulus package and $529 million in a variety of fee increases such as those for driver licenses and vehicle registration.
But the financial picture was continuing to grow dim right up until the session start. On Monday, state economists made another downward shift in the state’s economic outlook. While the federal stimulus money will help, overall things won’t be much better for Florida this year.
“We think what it will do is keep the deterioration from being as great as it otherwise would have. It’s not necessarily going to pull us up to levels that are much higher than what we’ve been seeing, but it’ll keep us from getting worse,” said Amy Baker, coordinator of the Legislature’s Office of Economic and Demographic Research.
One of the first actions the House will take as it opens the session is to formally name Rep. Larry Cretul as its speaker. Cretul, R-Ocala, is replacing Speaker Ray Sansom, who resigned the post following questions about his high-paying job at Northwest Florida State College. Sansom took it after securing tens of millions of dollars for the school.
At 6 p.m., Crist will give his State of the State address. Despite Florida’s hard times, expect optimism and hope from the governor.
Among the governor’s priorities are two big energy proposals. One would require power companies to increase the percentage of renewable energy sources they use and another would force car companies to sell more fuel efficient cars in Florida.
Crist also wants lawmakers to put property tax proposals on the ballot. Crist also wants to further limit the amount property taxes can be increased on businesses and second homes.