The Florida Revenue Estimating Conference is expected to announce that the shortfall is far greater than expected. Florida's budget shortfall could be as high as $7.5 billion rather that $5 billion.  This could translate into a cut in the Education appropriation, impacting districts by more than 10%.

Governor Crist has rolled federal stimulus stabilization dollars into his budget proposal.  It appears that he could roll the total amount of stabilization dollars, (the two year total) into the 2009-10 proposed budget.  There would still be a shortfall of revenue compared to his proposed budget for 2009-10. I have a serious question as to whether or not this violates the Governor's constitutional responsibility to balance the budget. How can you balance the budget with borrowed and non-recurring dollars?

Unfortunately Florida Legislators are listening to proposals which include removal of some exemptions, collection of tax on Internet purchases, and even some increases in taxes.

I am very concerned about Governor Crist's rolling in federal stimulus stabilization dollars as these are non-recurring funds being used to shore up recurring expenses. Using federal stimulus dollars is simply delaying the inevitable. Governor Crist is up for re-election in 2010 or he may run for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Senator Mel Martinez. I hope Governor Crist has the long term best interests of Florida's taxpayers in mind when he revises the budget and not his future political career. Now is the time for him to stand on conservative principles like some of his fellow governors. 

Florida got into this budget crisis in part because, in the boom years, state government grew 20% more than the rate of population growth plus inflation. Now is the time to drastically cut the federal and state budgets. Taxpayers can no longer afford either.

Having just come back from Tallahassee I was amazed by the shear size of our state government. Time to cut with an axe not a scalpel. Raising any tax in a recession makes no sense. Taxing the Internet makes even less sense.

I hope the Florida legislature will look with a very wary eye at the stimulus money. Will Florida have to give up its sovereignty to feed at the federal trough? We cannot become addicted to federal largesse. If we do we will lose not only our sovereignty but our freedom.

If you really want to diversify the economy, create new jobs and get additional revenues - drill here and drill now!