FY 2009-10 STATE BUDGET RELIES ON REPUBLICAN-APPROVED NEW TAXES

From the House Dems:

Governor Charlie Crist signed into law today a $66.5 billion budget that raises new taxes and fees, cuts vital programs for seniors, and will force layoffs of teachers and law enforcement officers throughout the state.

The governor’s veto of a proposed state pay cut for certain state workers prevents potential pain for some hard-working individuals, but his budget fails to address the needs of many other Floridians.

“I fear that real harm may come to some families,” said House Democratic Leader Franklin Sands (D-Weston). “I’m saddened that this budget cuts important programs and raises $2 billion in taxes and fees on middle-class Floridians and working families. Who’s looking out for small businesses and families? Not Republicans.

“The budget puts to use new federal economic stimulus dollars championed by Democrats, but it does far too little to meaningfully stimulate the economy or create jobs and is built on the backs of smokers, gamblers and motorists.”

In the simplest of terms, the budget offers short-sighted, short-term solutions for long-term problems, such as Florida’s inequitable tax structure. Once more, the wealthy and big businesses will fare far better than working families and small enterprises under this budget.

Florida farmers, small business owners and various industry leaders will endure significant new costs of doing business in Florida under a wide array of new motor vehicle fees and other charges.

Among other highlights:

· The budget offers short-sighted, short-term solutions for long-term problems, such as Florida’s inequitable tax structure. Once more, the wealthy and big businesses will fare far better than working families and small enterprises under this budget.

· Florida’s per capita state education funding is among the lowest in the nation. This budget doesn’t significantly fix years of sharp reductions in state spending for schools.

· Thousands of seniors and people with developmental disabilities will remain on waiting lists for services under this budget. Additionally, key programs that provide meals, home-care services and important assistance to Florida seniors will be severely curtailed under this budget.

· Thousands of people who potentially could have received extended unemployment compensation benefits will not get the help they need because of Republican House members’ refusal to accept $444 million in federal economic recovery monies for the unemployed.