The Florida House of Representatives has created budget legislation that protects the state's most vulnerable, does not raise taxes on Florida's working families, and successfully lives within its means.

"It is a budget that takes care of the most vulnerable and does not balance the budget on the back of Florida's families," said Speaker Johnnie Byrd.

The House Budget specifically funds a number of areas:

• $291.4 million for Medically Needy coverage
• Funds PACE Centers for Girls at $10 million
• Funds CINS/FINS at $32.6 million
• Increases spending in public education by over $140 per pupil
• Provides over $16.5 million for additional staff among the Department of Children & Families, Community Based Care providers, and Sheriff's Offices to address caseloads
• Funds Bright Futures Scholarships and keeps the program merit-based

Agriculture & Environmental

• Full funding provided for Florida Forever
• Full funding of Everglades Restoration
• $140 million in underground storage tank cleanup, a 21% increase over current year funding
• Reserves funding for two mobile gamma ray units for Homeland Security

Education

• Provides $315 million in increased teacher compensation to ensure that Florida schools have excellent teachers in our children's classrooms
• Includes a $6.5 million increase in funding for Community Colleges
• Funds Governor's Just Read, Florida! Initiative at $30 million
• Funds Governor's Mentoring Initiative at $12.25 million
• Funds class size reduction in accordance with Florida's constitutional mandate at $300 million for operating costs, plus another $282 million for facilities.

Seniors

• Provides $5.6 million for Alzheimer's Disease pilot program for Medicaid Home & Community-Based Waivers, serving an estimated 300 individuals with a targeted package of services that supports the client and caregivers, reduces medical costs, and delays institutional placement
• Provides assistance to more than 250,000 Florida seniors with their prescription drug costs by funding the "Silver Lifesaver" program at $26 million
• Assists Florida seniors in obtaining prescription drugs for free or with deep discounts by funding $226,660 for the "Sunshine for Seniors" program

This year House members participated in zero-based budgeting review as they formed their budget priorities. By starting from scratch, House leaders were able to build a budget that is based on the needs of Florida's future and is not entangled by decades-old political fights and set-asides for special interest groups.

The proposed House budget requires no tax increases or gambling revenues.