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Legislation
- In tough economic times, Florida's government must live within its means.
- Floridians have consistently communicated their desire for less taxation and less government. That's why they sent 81 Republicans to the House this year.
- We understand that less taxes on Floridians means more freedom to pursue their dreams and aspirations.
- Believing that Florida's budget should be guided by principles in good times and bad, we have consistently refused to balance our budget on the backs of Florida's families.
- Increasing taxes would be a direct blow to Florida's economy at a critical time when those in the private sector are attempting to maintain growth and create jobs.
- The more revenue government collects from taxpayers, the less money is available to create and retain jobs and grow the private sector of our economy.
- The House budget proposal is a fiscally responsible work product that refocuses on the primary mission of state government: empowering Florida's families.
- Governor Bush supports our shared vision of no tax increases and our opposition to expanded gambling as an answer to budget needs.
Major Issues Addressed By The House Budget Proposal
- Restores $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 (484.5 positions) among the Department of Children & Families, Community Based Care providers, and Sheriffs Offices to address caseloads
- Funds Bright Futures Scholarships
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Refocused Priorities
- Each year, the Florida Legislature convenes to address the priorities of the state, and each year, those priorities are modified to reflect the ever-changing challenges that face Florida.
- In difficult economic times, this is especially the case.
- That is why the House has chosen to focus its priorities on:
- the needs of Florida's most vulnerable
- the importance of classroom teachers in education reform
- prescription drug relief for Florida seniors
- narrowing the scope of government regulation to empower families
- investing in prevention programs for juveniles
- supporting educational scholarships for students
Zero-Based Budgeting
- This year, House Appropriation Subcommittees participated in a 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, spending demands, and pork barrel projects.
What is "Zero-Based" Budgeting?
The objective of Zero Based Budgeting is to "reset the clock" each year. Traditional budgeting allows government agencies to start with last year's expenditures and simply add a percent for inflation to come up with next year's budget. Conversely, Zero Based Budgeting implies that agencies need to build a budget from the ground up, justifying the case for their spending, as if no baseline existed-to start at zero.
Zero-Based Budgeting:
- Eliminates a sense of "entitlement" to cost increases.
- Improves cost containment.
- Increases discipline in developing budgets.
- Adds more meaningful budget discussions during plan review sessions.
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No Tax Increases
- Drawn partially from excess revenue in some trust funds to reflect new budget priorities and increases in general revenue collections over the last fiscal year, the proposed House budget requires no tax increases or gambling revenues.
- Our budget is funded with no new taxes or increases in existing taxes.
- Our budget is funded with no new taxes or increases in existing taxes.
Agriculture & Environment
- The Florida House continues its commitment to the agriculture community and will preserve Florida's pristine environmental heritage.
- Fully funds Florida Forever
- Fully funds Everglades Restoration
- Includes $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
- The Florida House believes that the classroom is the center of success for Florida's schoolchildren.
- We are embarking on reform that will empower classroom teachers and pay them as professional educators.
- 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
Seniors
- Florida's seniors deserve immediate relief from the high-cost of prescription drugs.
- Our two-fold effort to provide relief is fully funded under this proposal.
- Provides $5.6 million for Alzheimer's Disease pilot program for Medicaid Home & Community-Based Waivers
- 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
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