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This is the verbatim press release (public
domain) from Gov. Jeb's spin machine on his proposed budget for
the state of Florida for FY 2003-2004. It don't look good, folks.
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TALLAHASSEE
- Governor Jeb Bush today announced his budget recommendations for
Fiscal Year 2003-2004, recognizing that Florida is much better off
than most of the nation, but also acknowledging in a tough budget
year the state must focus on its key priorities.
"I'm proud that Florida is one of the few places in the country
that will see increases in education, child welfare and services for
the elderly. At the same time, cost pressures related to the
constitutional amendments as well as a still recovering economy,
will force us to make some very difficult choices," said
Governor Bush. "What is perhaps most concerning is the bleak
budget forecast brought upon us by the need to implement Amendment
9, high-speed rail and other voter-mandated initiatives beginning
next year. With this in mind, today's announcement represents my
recommendations for the budget year, and I look forward to working
with the Legislature on these issues in the coming months."
Florida's General Revenue budget for FY 2003-2004 will grow by 3
percent, or $633 million, for a total of nearly $22 billion. Florida
is projected to end the current year, FY 2002-03, with a $140
million surplus in the General Revenue fund and $960 million in its
"rainy day fund." This contrasts sharply with most other
states, some of whom are experiencing budget deficits as high as 20
percent. Across the nation, the collective state budget shortfall is
expected to be $45 billion this year. In his speech, Governor Bush
noted that fiscal discipline, including spending restraint, vetoing
so-called "turkeys," reducing bureaucracy and other
government efficiencies, a doubling of the states reserves in the
past four years as well as tax cuts were all instrumental in
Florida's relative success.
Governor Bush also highlighted the budget uncertainties related to
the upcoming implementation of constitutionally mandated initiatives
such as class size, pre-K, and high-speed rail. Over the past four
years, General Revenue spending has increased in concert with
increases in personal income, a key factor in Florida's current
budget stability and the state's ability to hold the line on tax
increases. With the implementation of the constitutional amendments,
spending will far outpace personal income, forcing tax increases and
budget constraints that states like California currently face.
Additionally, should Florida choose to bond money to pay for the
initiatives, the state's debt would likely reach excessive levels
that could damage Florida's credit rating and ability to borrow
money at low interest rates.
"While this year's budget continues to fund state priorities,
the class size amendment is taking its toll- university and college
spending are one example. Its impact on future budgets will be even
more severe, creating across the board cuts, significant tax
increases and potentially forcing our state to tax and spend itself
into a deficit situation currently experienced by other states
across the country," said Governor Bush.
Governor Bush's recommended budget Fiscal Year 2003-2004 includes:
EDUCATION:
. K-12: Governor Bush recommends an $899 million, or 6.8 percent,
increase for K-12 education. That increase will bring Governor
Bush's five-year total to $3.8 billion or 34 percent.
. Per student funding: The Governor's budget recommends a $247, or
4.65 percent, increase per student. These increases also fully cover
the estimated 53,400 additional students who will enter the public
school system next year. Over the past five-years, per student
funding has increased nearly $1,000 per student, or 20 percent.
. Just Read, Florida!: Governor Bush recommends $80.7 million for
Just Read, Florida! State funds will make up $30 million, a $19
million or 172 percent increase over last year, and $50.7 will come
from the federal Reading First grant, an increase of $5.1 million
over last year.
. Reading teachers: The Governor also recommends a $5.1 million
increase for the Critical Teacher Scholarship Program for a total of
$8.9 million this year. Under the Governor's budget, $3 million of
this funding would be designated to assist reading teachers. In
addition, the Governor recommends that $18 million of the $36
million in professional development funding for districts be used to
assist teachers in teaching reading.
. Teacher initiatives: The Governor recommends $281.5 million,
including federal funding, for teacher initiatives for 2003-04. This
includes $14.2 million for recruitment and retention activities. The
Governor recommends $75.9 million for Excellent Teachers program, a
$27.2 million or 56 percent increase over last year, to help ensure
that Florida becomes the national leader in nationally
board-certified teachers. Florida has 3,489 teachers who already
have been certified, and Governor Bush seeks to have 12,000
nationally certified teachers by 2008. Governor Bush also proposes
$16.2 million for the Teachers Lead program, which provides teachers
with $100 for classroom supplies. Additionally, the FY 2003-04
proposed budget continues to fund the Barry Grunow Acts death
insurance for teachers at $165,000 and $1.2 million for professional
liability insurance for all full-time and part-time instructional
personnel. The professional liability insurance protects teachers
from liability for monetary damages in defense of actions resulting
from claims made against them during the course of activity in their
professional capacity.
. Amendment 9: Governor Bush's new "Classrooms for Kids"
plan will provide $2.8 billion over the next eight years to meet the
projected construction costs of implementing the amendment to reduce
class size. The plan includes the use of projected growth in the
Communication Services Tax and funds from the Florida Lottery to pay
for bonds during a period of 20 to 30 years. This funding for school
construction is in addition to $268 million from the Public
Education Capital Outlay (PECO) Trust Fund, the traditional source
for the state to provide construction funds to public schools.
. Mentoring Initiative: The Governor's FY 2003-2004 Recommended
Budget includes $12.25 million for mentoring. These funds will be
appropriated to statewide and local mentoring groups in order to
continue the support of mentoring and tutoring in Florida's schools
and after school programs.
. Community Colleges: Total funding for community colleges will be
$1.4 billion, which is a 1.8 percent increase over the current year.
This includes $27.6 million for facilities challenge grants and a
recommended 7 percent tuition increase. However, due to
implementation of Amendment 9, community colleges will not receive
additional funds to cover increases in student enrollment.
. Universities: Total funding for universities will be $2.4 billion.
This includes $79.1 million for facilities challenge grants and a
recommended 7.5 percent tuition increase. The Governor's proposed
budget also recommends additional tuition flexibility of up to 5
percent for in-state tuition, unlimited tuition flexibility for
out-of-state, graduate and professional students, and flexibility in
the use of $123 million of carry forward funds. However, in order to
fund the priorities of implementing the class size initiative,
universities will experience a $111.5 million cut in state funds,
enrollment growth will not be funded, and $76 million of university
PECO funds will used to reduce class size in public schools.
HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES:
. Overall funding: Governor Bush recommends a $1.1 billion increase
for health and human services this year, for a total increase of $7
billion or 56 percent over the past five years.
. Child welfare: This year's budget includes a $138.2 million, a
15.9 percent increase, in child welfare funding this year. These
monies primarily go to fund Blue Ribbon Panel on Child Protection
recommendations, including increasing salaries for caseworkers,
prevention initiatives, quality assurance and background screenings.
Community-based care is a key component in Governor Bush's efforts
to reform Florida's child welfare system. To assist communities in
this effort, the 2001 and 2002 Legislatures funded a Community
Partnership Matching Grant Program, which provides $10 million in
matching funds for start-up in those areas where the local community
has agreed to put up matching funds. The Governor's budget for FY
2003-04 continues this program for another year.
. Child healthcare: Under Governor Bush, nearly 1.6 million children
will have health care insurance by June 2004, more than double the
number of children covered four years ago. Funding for this program
has increased $1.5 billion since FY 1998-99.
. Developmentally disabled: Funding for the developmentally disabled
will increase by $116.1 million under Governor Bush's
recommendations for a 118.1 percent increase over the past five
years.
. Substance abuse: Reducing drug abuse has been a priority for
Governor Bush, and national surveys indicate Florida is making
steady progress toward reaching its goal of an overall 50 percent
reduction in illegal drug use. Almost halfway to its 2005 objective,
Florida had reduced its drug use rate by 31 percent, or 62 percent
of its overall reduction goal. Governor Bush proposes investing more
than $280 million in FY 2003-04 for all drug control and substance
abuse initiatives. This is an increase of $96.5 million or 63
percent over last year and a 40 percent increase since 1998-99.
. Care for Florida's elders: Governor Bush proposes $414 million for
community based care for Florida's elderly. This is a $160 million
increase over the past five years, allowing some 270,000 elders to
receive care in an environment most suited to their individual
needs. Governor Bush has also worked to increase nursing home
quality through the Gold Seal program, as well as ensure care for
Florida's veterans. The Governor's recommended budget includes $39.5
million for veterans nursing homes, which will more than double the
new beds.
. Prescription drugs: The Governor's Silver Saver program is
projected to serve more than 73,000 seniors through June 2004. Since
August, the Silver Saver program has enrolled more than 6,000 new
recipients - that is approximately 400 new enrollees per week. The
Governor recommends a $6.5 million increase for this important
program, bringing total funding to $109.4 million and continuing to
enroll new seniors at the same rate per week for the next fiscal
year.
. Medicaid spending: The Governor recommends $191.5 million for the
Medicaid Spend Down program, also known as Medically Needy. Those
children and pregnant women currently enrolled in the Medicaid Spend
Down Program will continue to have the coverage they now receive.
For all other adults in this program, the Governor's Recommended
Budget will assist with one of the most costly medical expenditures-
prescription drug coverage. This will be available to those adults
impacted by the sunset of this program and will consist of the full
Medicaid pharmacy benefit. This prescription drug coverage will be
accomplished through an enhancement of the Silver Saver prescription
drug program designed specifically for this affected population. In
addition, each area Medicaid office maintains a list of community
health resources available to assist these individuals. Some
examples include We Care Volunteer clinics, free health screening
sites, and more.
PUBLIC PROTECTION:
. Crime is down: Under Governor Bush, Florida's index crime rate is
the lowest in 29 years. 10-20-Life has helped drive violent firearm
crime down by 24 percent in three years and juvenile arrests for
serious crimes are down by almost 14 percent.
. Prison funding: State prisoners are now serving an average of 83
percent of their sentences, compared to less than 50 percent in
1994. Governor Bush has proposed investing $1.4 billion in the
Fiscal Year 2003-04 recommended budget to incarcerate more than
74,000 dangerous, violent and repeat offenders sentenced to state
prison for felony convictions. The Governor's Recommended Budget
includes $75.7 million for the construction of 4,148 new prison beds
to ensure that our state never returns to the "revolving
door" policies of the early 1990s, which allowed early release
for criminals to kill and injure innocent people. This investment in
state prisons pays public safety dividends in lower crime rates,
safer streets and lives saved.
. Domestic Violence: Governor Bush has led the effort to enact
significant legislation to punish and prevent domestic violence, and
by doubling the funding over the past four years, has made this
issue one of his priorities. This has helped domestic violence is
down by nearly 15 percent in the past three years. This budget year,
the Governor recommends $37 million for the continuation of programs
to help those who are victims of abuse in their own homes. Over the
past four years, a total of $138 million has been expended to
support these efforts, including $8 million for the renovation of
the state's domestic violence centers.
. Domestic Security: Vice-President Dick Cheney recognized Florida's
Domestic Security as "a model of how homeland security coverage
should operate at the state level." Almost $129 million has
been invested in domestic security since September 11, 2001. The
Governor this year recommends an additional $89.5 million to enhance
Florida's domestic security and prevent terror attacks. Funding
includes $25.2 million for emergency management, $20 million for
seaports, $15.4 million for agriculture, $7.4 million for health and
bioterrorism and $1.8 million for cyberterrorism.
. Increased Protection For Florida Seniors and Disabled Persons:
Governor Bush proposes tougher mandatory sentences for financial
crimes against seniors. The proposal includes a 3-year mandatory
prison term for felony grand theft, with losses of $10,000 or more
when the victim is 65 years of age or older, an impaired senior, or
disabled person. Additionally, Governor Bush proposes enhancing all
criminal penalties by one degree, when the victim is 65 years of age
or older. This proposal would extend reclassification to crimes such
as burglary and theft, and violent crimes such as murder, robbery,
and rape. This proposal would significantly expand judicial
discretion to appropriately punish offenders who victimize seniors.
. DNA and Technology Advances in Florida Law Enforcement: Florida
has been a national model in the state's use of DNA data. Since the
creation of the DNA database, FDLE has made approximately 800
identifications, and assisted in more than 1,000 investigations.
Governor Bush's FY 2003-04 Recommended Budget contains $243,275 in
funds for the DNA Offender Database and Serology program, increasing
Florida's total investment to date in this critical investigative
database to $18.8 million. In addition, the Governor's Recommended
Budget provides $2.8 million to enhance the Department's Integrated
Criminal History System which will combine the Automated Fingerprint
Identification System (AFIS) and the Computerized Criminal History
System (CCH). The state has invested more than $7 million to date
for the Intergraded Criminal History System, which is an invaluable
technological advantage for law-enforcement agencies.
. Juvenile Justice: The Governor proposes several major changes in
the Department's budget to ensure that focus is on the core mission
of reducing juvenile crime during a time of limited budget
resources. In keeping with the traditional assignment of
criminal-justice responsibilities, the Governor's Recommended Budget
proposes a $64.3 million shift of detention responsibility to
counties. Like the adult system, local governments will pay the
costs of detaining alleged juvenile offenders until a court
adjudicates the offender as a delinquent, while the state will
continue to provide residential commitment for juvenile offenders
adjudicated by the courts and assigned to the custody of the
Department of Juvenile Justice. With the view that agencies best use
valuable tax dollars by performing those functions specifically
within the agency's area of expertise, the Governor recommends
transferring the "Children In Need of Services/Families In Need
of Services" program from DJJ to the Department of Children and
Families.
NATURAL RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENT:
. Everglades Funding: This year, in recognition of the need to
continue to develop a dedicated source of funding for Everglades
restoration while not incurring future indebtedness, Governor Bush
recommends that $300 million from the Florida Forever and
Preservation 2000 Reserve Accounts be deposited into the Save Our
Everglades Trust Fund. This pays ahead the state's commitment of
$100 million per year for the next three fiscal years, through FY
2005-06. Nearly $400 million will have been appropriated by the
Legislature for Everglades restoration with $156 million used for
the purchase of 25,250 acres of land in South Florida needed for
restoration projects. Due to a tight budget year, the Executive
Budget recommends $75 million from the Save Our Everglades Trust
Fund to continue to implement the Comprehensive Everglades
Restoration Plan, to be matched with approximately $75 million from
South Florida Water Management District funds, $25 million from
Florida Forever and $25 million from local governments, for a total
state and regional commitment of $200 million for this fiscal year.
. The Florida Forever Program: The Governor and Legislature have
committed $300 million in each fiscal year since the Florida Forever
Act became law on July 1, 2001. The FY 2003-04 Executive Budget
recommends $300 million for implementing the Florida Forever program
since July 2001 more than 126,000 acres have been acquired under
this program. This is in addition to the 1.7 million acres acquired
through the Florida Preservation 2000 initiative. The Florida
Forever Act improved upon the Preservation 2000 program by
emphasizing better patterns of protection for ecosystems.
. Florida Springs Initiative: The Florida Springs Initiative, begun
in FY 2001-02, is intended to protect and restore Florida's 33 first
magnitude (largest) freshwater springs through the establishment of
spring discharge monitoring networks, water quality and biological
monitoring programs, best management practices, creation of
private-public partnerships, and the development of spring
restoration action plans. To continue to protect, preserve and
restore Florida's unique freshwater springs, Governor Bush
recommends $2.5 million in the Executive Budget for FY 2003-04.
. Water Resource Protection: The Executive Budget recommends $166.5
million for water resource protection and surface water restoration
projects. In an effort to create a more efficient program for water
resources funding, the Executive Budget will focus on directing
current and new wastewater projects to the State Revolving Fund, and
proposes to eliminate the cap of $100 million on the State Revolving
Fund. The Governor also recommends an additional $6.5 million for
small community grants. The Governor also proposes $17 million for
surface water improvement and storm water management. This funding
is to be matched dollar for dollar by the water management districts
and their local partners to create a partnership at all levels to
protect Florida's waters.
. Manatee Protection: For the third consecutive year, Governor Bush
has recommended record funding for manatee protection. In 2001, the
Governor and Legislature provided $14 million for manatee
protection. This included funding for 25 new law enforcement
positions, technology and equipment enhancements, public education,
boat access facility planning and permitting, development of manatee
protection plans and increased enforcement of slow speed and no-wake
zones. Last year, Governor Bush recommended the designation of ten
new sanctuaries for manatees, increasing to 14 the number of federal
refuges and sanctuaries that protect essential manatee habitat. This
year, the Executive Budget recommends $9.1 million for manatee
protection. This brings to approximately $42 million the total
provided for manatee protection since FY 1999-2000.
SMALLER, MORE EFFICIENT GOVERNMENT:
. Tax Relief: Under Governor Bush, Floridians will have realized
more than $8.1 billion in tax relief over the past five years. The
Governor's recommended budget recommends a $59 million sales tax
holiday, which includes nine days of sales tax exemptions for
clothing and a month of savings for books. The Governor also
recommends the continuation of the seniors and savers tax cuts, and
accelerated depreciation for corporate investments. As a result of
piggybacking on the federal corporate tax deferral, Florida is
expected to see corporate tax revenue projected to increase by 23
percent next year. In addition, property tax rates have dropped by
0.7 mills (almost 11 percent) since FY 1999-2000. The tax savings in
FY 2003-04 alone is expected to be more than $600 million, directly
affecting more than 3.7 million homeowners and hundreds of thousands
of businesses annually. The cumulative savings over four years is
expected to be $2.4 billion.
. Budget reserves: Over the past five years, budgetary reserves have
increased dramatically. Rising from $1.3 billion in FY 1998-99 to
$3.0 billion in FY 2003-04, reserves have more than doubled. While
other states drained their reserves following the September 11
tragedy, Florida maintained its reserves. Of the $3 billion in
current reserves, $966 million is in the
constitutionally-established Budget Stabilization Fund to serve as a
last-resort buffer against major General Revenue fund shortfalls and
other emergency situations. In addition, the Working Capital Fund,
which is essentially unencumbered General Revenue, is expected to be
$202 million.
. Budget restructuring: To further guarantee that your money will be
put to its best use, Governor Bush and the Legislature have
restructured Florida's budgeting process to clearly identify each
agency's mission and core business processes. The Governor's goal is
to spend taxpayer dollars on programs and services that are critical
to achieve our major policy goals, that are performing at or above
expectations, and that are administered efficiently. Since 2000,
each agency has been required to submit long-range program plans
which identify and rank its programs and services and track agency
accomplishments toward achieving the desired level of performance
for each service. The Fiscal Year 2003-04 Recommended Budget
directly reflects agency missions and highest priority programs and
services.
. Department of State and Community Partnerships: The Department of
State is a service agency centered on assistance to communities, a
mission which coincides with that of other agencies. The Department
of Community Affairs shares this focus and provides both technical
and financial assistance to Florida's communities. The Department of
Environmental Protection contains several community related programs
providing grants to local entities for parks and recreation. The
Governor's Office, through the Office of Tourism, Trade and Economic
Development, also helps communities through the Front Porch Florida
initiative and the rural community development grant program.
Housing these programs in one agency should improve the state's
service to communities and help strengthen them by assisting them in
realizing their goals and providing efficiencies in delivering
important government services. The Executive Budget recommends
merging the departments of Community Affairs and State into a new
agency to oversee the state's primary community assistance programs.
. Trust Fund Review: Tax revenues, as previously described, are
deposited into the state's all purpose fund known as General
Revenue. General Revenue makes up 42 percent of the state budget.
The other 58 percent is from Trust Funds. Trust Fund revenue
consists of fees and assessments paid by certain entities for
regulation of industries, federal grants, bond proceeds and other
types of funds that have generally required some sort of
segregation. Currently, there are approximately 450 trust funds in
existence. Having this many trust funds has created a number of
problems through the years, including inappropriate accounting of
funds, inequitable funding of programs, budgeting and accounting
complications and burdensome administrative procedures and
unnecessary paper work. As a result, the Governor's Recommended
Budget will reflect the beginning phase of consolidation of trust
fund revenue into the General Revenue Fund.
.... GoodSoldier, 1/26/03
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JEB, FLORIDA BALLOT SCANDAL Destroying the 2000 Evidence? Or Just Making It Impossible To See It?
After the presidential coup of 2000, what happened to the six million ballots so fiercely fought over yet never fully counted?
They were placed under the supervision of the Florida Division of Library and Information Services.
At the time that decision was made, historians and other interested parties expressed their firm hope and expectation that all of the ballots would be preserved for posterity, so that later scholars and writers could come to their own independent conclusions about what happened in Florida in 2000.
University of Florida historian Julian Pleasants, a member of the board appointed to determine the ballots' fate, was particularly outspoken in his belief that all of the ballots should be preserved.
Well guess what?
In his new proposed 2004 budget, Governor Jeb Bush has cut funding to the Florida Division of Library and Information Services to....ZERO! That's right. It's gone, if Jeb gets his way.
And the ballots?
In June, the now soon-to-be-extinct FDLIS (if Jeb has anything to do with it) advised the state's 67 county elections supervisors that the period for retaining 2000 election materials had been "voluntary extended" until 2003.
The extension will give state legislators adequate time to strike ''a balance between the potential historical significance of these ballots and the cost of their preservation,'' Division Director Barratt Wilkins wrote.
But now it looks as if, thanks to Jeb, there won't be any FDLIS to do any preserving.
In short, it look as if Jeb is about ensure that the ballots get destroyed -- and to hell with historical significance.
The elimination of the FDLIS is an enormous blow to all Floridians -- and well as to everyone interested in preserving the state's historical treasures.
Elimination of the FDLIS will mean the dismantling of the 150-year-old Florida State Library and the Florida State Archives, as well as the end of various grants programs for public libraries across the state -- all of which are under the supervision of the FDLIS.
But given the likely dispensation of the 2000 ballots, it's all the worse -- for what's being threatened is the record of a colossal event in the nation's history as well as Florida's history. All of the Library and Archives holdings are scheduled, under Bush's plan, to be moved to the already overcrowded facilities at Florida State University at Tallahassee. At the very least, a great deal of material will be rendered inaccessible. And some valuable things are almost certainly going to have to be either sold off or destroyed. Any guess where the priority will be about those ballots?
People who try to hide -- and, in this case, it seems, destroy -- historical documents are always the people with the most to hide.
And does anybody doubt why Jeb wants to hide -- or, better, destroy -- those ballots? Budgetary concerns? Yeah, right!
Professor Pleasants has once again come to the defense of preserving the truth, telling the Miami Herald that he still hopes the state will preserve as much of the 2000 election materials as possible.
This is in contrast to the preference notorious designer of the Palm Beach County butterfly ballot, Theresa LePore. When asked what she'd rather see done with the punch card ballots, she replied to a reporter: "A big bonfire."
Which looks like Jeb Bush's preference too.
Email Professor Julian Pleasants
to express your support and to encourage him to speak out against Gov. Bush's proposed elimination of the Florida Division of Library and Information Services and against the possible destruction of 2000 election materials.
Sources:
Bruce Craig, For History's Sake, Preserve Florida's Presidential
Ballots, History News Service, December 21, 2000
Tallahassee Democrat, Florida Delays Decision On Keeping
Ballots, December 30, 2002
Naples Daily News, Florida Delays Decision On Preserving 2000 Presidential
Ballots, December 30, 2002
Bush Proposes Killing Florida Division of Library and Information Services, Dismantling State Library and State Archives
Tallahassee Democrat, Is State Library About To
Die?, January 24, 2003
Orlando Sentinel, Library Could Be Victim of Bush
Cuts, January 25, 2003
... from mediawhoresonline,
1/27/03
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