Posted on 09/09/2001 9:33:20 PM PDT by Moonman62
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) - The state deficit isn't official yet, but recommendations on how to weather it are already blowing in.
State officials will meet on Thursday to determine the size of the budget deficit - estimated at between $500 million and $800 million dollars.
At this point, there's little agreement on the significance of the numbers or the solutions. Some experts say Florida won't be hit as hard it was in the deficits of the early 1990s. But the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, a Washington think tank, says Florida will be hit worse than other states this year.
A Tallahassee-based group called TaxWatch suggests short-term budget cuts to make ends meet. And another organization, the Florida Institute for Economic Justice, suggests expanding the state's tax base - including instituting a state income tax.
Two of the policy groups that released studies this week found that Florida has a "structural deficit" in its revenue stream that has only been made worse by recent tax cuts.
The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities says Florida would be much better off raising taxes. The Florida Institute for Economic Justice found that, contrary to predictions by supply side economists, Florida's revenue stream has taken a serious hit from recent cuts in intangibles taxes.
Talk of raising taxes or creating a state income tax has not been well received by the governor's office.
"Florida has a solid economic structure without a state income tax, and we're not even thinking of having a state income tax as long as this governor is in office," said Katie Baur, Gov. Jeb Bush's spokeswoman.
This organization sounds like it needs to be campaigning for Reno
In fact, shes so friggin nuts I wouldn't be surprised if she doesn't rule out a state income tax as she campaigns.
I mean, it's either that or list what unnecessary and wasteful government boondoggles she would cut, and we all know liberals would rather kill children than do that.
these people are morons
some gibberish from their site --
The Institute will use the tools of political economics to develop and communicate information concerning the plight of consumers, wage earners, and middle class citizens of America. The organization will use the theories of economics, with a special emphasis on the teachings of Adam Smith, to counter the one-sided and inaccurate message that supply-side apologists are presenting to the American public.
and it's really up to date --
Calendar of Events
No new information as of 1/26/2000. Please check back soon
in fact, practically the entire site is nothing but broken links, i don't know how the a.p. writer even found them
CUT BACK ON SPENDING!!
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