Crist: Fixing budget will cost money

Miami Herald
By Mary Ellen Klas And Gary Fineout
September 7, 2007

TALLAHASSEE -- Gov. Charlie Crist revealed his plan for balancing Florida's ailing budget Thursday with a proposal to spend the state out of trouble by giving new homeowners financial aid, accelerating construction of toll lanes on Interstate 95, and building schools.

But his plan also calls for slashing hundreds of state jobs, cutting payments to hospitals and nursing homes, and slicing money for key South Florida projects, including Florida International University's fledgling medical school.

In plugging the state's $71 billion budget, Crist is betting that an improved economy coupled with one-time withdrawals from various state trust funds will help boost the state's finances.

Crist's gamble: If tax collections don't bounce back, the plan could leave the state with a bigger shortfall next year. [more...]