Legislature Reaches Special Session Budget Accord; Final Vote on January 14

Currently in Special Session, the Florida Legislature ended a joint budget conference early Sunday, January 11, 2008, after each Chamber agreed to reductions in the State’s budget totaling more than $2.7 billion for Fiscal Year 2008-2009.

The resultant budget was printed and laid on each Legislator’s desk for the 72-hour waiting period as provided by Florida’s Constitution.  The two Chambers will reconvene on Wednesday, January 14 to vote on the budget.  If passed, it then will proceed to Governor Charlie Crist for his signature. 

The Special Session, which began on Monday, January 5, was called to address revenue shortfalls in Florida’s budget.

The following funds were utilized by the Legislature in creating the reduction package:

• $400 Million from the Budget Stabilization Fund
• $700 Million from the Lawton Chiles Endowment Fund
• $190 Million from the Housing Trust Fund
• $300 Million from various other Trust Funds
• Four to six percent cut from each state agency/department

In the area of Juvenile Justice, the Legislature agreed to a four percent across-the-board reduction to the Department of Juvenile Justice.  

A copy of the final budget conference report (SB 2A) is attached for your review.

The Regular Legislative Session begins on Tuesday, March 3, 2009, during which it is expected that another four to five billion dollars in budget reductions will be made.

Should you have any comments or questions, please contact Frank Mayernick Jr. at Colodny Fass.