| Political Advertisement Paid for and Approved by Darren Soto, Democrat, for Florida House of Representatives District 49 |
I voted against the budget this year because of the spending priorities that
were laid out in the budget, as well as the major reductions made in
healthcare, education, and criminal justice. My vote went against the passage
of the budget as well because at a time when family budgets are being
squeezed, Legislature did not pass the annual Back to School sales tax
holiday, or the annual Hurricane Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday.
Unfortunately with a tight budget, these important sales tax holiday breaks did
not survive the session.
However, the budget still passed this year, and as a result our children in
public schools might see critical programs eliminated, thus making it harder for
high school students to be admitted in colleges and universities as enrollment
is cut; our seniors could have less than adequate healthcare as well. I simply
could not support a budget that was reduced by more than $4.5 billion.
After spending nine weeks in Tallahassee for this year’s legislative session,
leaders in the House and Senate put together the spending plan for 2008-09.
Florida’s budget crisis dominated the 60 days as we tried to navigate what to
do with a nearly $6 billion cut from last year. Unfortunately, the news is not
good as healthcare, education and public safety will see their budgets reduced
significantly. For instance, nursing homes took a $163 million dollar cut, $53
million was reduced from the developmentally disabled, and every school kid
in Florida will find their education cut by $130 next year.
In practical terms, this means seniors will just have to wait a little longer to get
the care they need or to be turned in their beds, the developmentally disabled
will lose critical services, and Florida’s public schools will have to cut
essential programs.
were laid out in the budget, as well as the major reductions made in
healthcare, education, and criminal justice. My vote went against the passage
of the budget as well because at a time when family budgets are being
squeezed, Legislature did not pass the annual Back to School sales tax
holiday, or the annual Hurricane Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday.
Unfortunately with a tight budget, these important sales tax holiday breaks did
not survive the session.
However, the budget still passed this year, and as a result our children in
public schools might see critical programs eliminated, thus making it harder for
high school students to be admitted in colleges and universities as enrollment
is cut; our seniors could have less than adequate healthcare as well. I simply
could not support a budget that was reduced by more than $4.5 billion.
After spending nine weeks in Tallahassee for this year’s legislative session,
leaders in the House and Senate put together the spending plan for 2008-09.
Florida’s budget crisis dominated the 60 days as we tried to navigate what to
do with a nearly $6 billion cut from last year. Unfortunately, the news is not
good as healthcare, education and public safety will see their budgets reduced
significantly. For instance, nursing homes took a $163 million dollar cut, $53
million was reduced from the developmentally disabled, and every school kid
in Florida will find their education cut by $130 next year.
In practical terms, this means seniors will just have to wait a little longer to get
the care they need or to be turned in their beds, the developmentally disabled
will lose critical services, and Florida’s public schools will have to cut
essential programs.
What will school districts do to absorb the reduction in state dollars? Some will begin to cut afterschool and summer school
programs, reading coaches, security officers, enrichment programs and raise school lunches. Others will possibly close schools,
eliminate guidance counselors, shorten teacher contracts and eliminate middle school athletic programs. And our higher education
institutions are feeling the pain as well.
The week after session adjourned, the University of Florida announced that it planned to reduce student enrollment by 4,000 over
the next four years and cut roughly 400 jobs. Other state universities will be making similar decisions as they address the revenue
shortfalls and the reduced budgets. Unfortunately, our students will have less, but pay more. Universities and community colleges
have no choice but to resort to tuition increases to offer status quo education to our college students because these institutions
will not have needed resources. This will impede our state’s ability to attract and retain a knowledge based economy as our best
and brightest leave to other states.
Public safety will see their budgets reduced as well. Public defenders will lose 129 positions, state attorneys will lose 167 positions
and the courts will lose 67. These reductions will make it harder for our criminal justice system to address the rise in crime rates
and the increase demand by our neighbors on the court system as they obtain marriage licenses and other legal documents.
programs, reading coaches, security officers, enrichment programs and raise school lunches. Others will possibly close schools,
eliminate guidance counselors, shorten teacher contracts and eliminate middle school athletic programs. And our higher education
institutions are feeling the pain as well.
The week after session adjourned, the University of Florida announced that it planned to reduce student enrollment by 4,000 over
the next four years and cut roughly 400 jobs. Other state universities will be making similar decisions as they address the revenue
shortfalls and the reduced budgets. Unfortunately, our students will have less, but pay more. Universities and community colleges
have no choice but to resort to tuition increases to offer status quo education to our college students because these institutions
will not have needed resources. This will impede our state’s ability to attract and retain a knowledge based economy as our best
and brightest leave to other states.
Public safety will see their budgets reduced as well. Public defenders will lose 129 positions, state attorneys will lose 167 positions
and the courts will lose 67. These reductions will make it harder for our criminal justice system to address the rise in crime rates
and the increase demand by our neighbors on the court system as they obtain marriage licenses and other legal documents.