State Budget Released, What it Could Mean for You: A Primer for Getting Up to Speed

Consider the new year's political season in full swing in Florida as Gov. Rick Scott on Feb. 7 unveiled his first budget proposal for a state facing an estimated $3.6 billion shortfall. Here's a collection of useful links and excerpts to get up to speed on the budget as it was presented, as well as to a sampling of reactions from many quarters. As always, we'd love to hear from you as well. Please post your thoughts in the comment box below.

• Florida Governor's Office: Gov. Scott Unveils Florida's First 'Jobs Budget' Before a Capacity Crowd in Eustis — Includes text of Gov. Rick Scott's remarks as prepared for delivery. Excerpt: "Reviewing a governmental budget is much like going through the attic in an old home. You come across some priceless things you need to protect.  But there are a lot of odd things someone once thought we needed. Much of it we’ve outgrown.  And it just doesn’t fit anymore. Over the last month, I’ve spent a lot of time in that attic. And I’m cleaning it out."

• ABC Action News: “Gov. Scott Announces New Budget.” View this video, posted on YouTube, to see for yourself the governor's budget unveiling.

• AOL News: "Florida Budget Cuts: Gov. Rick Scott's 5 Most Dramatic Proposals" — Excerpt: Newly elected Gov. Rick Scott, a Republican backed by the Tea Party, has released his first budget proposal for the state. Under Scott's plan, Florida's spending would shrink by $4.6 billion — and some say cuts are going too far." Noted as some of the biggest reductions: A 10 percent cut in education spending, eliminating 1,690 jobs from the Department of Corrections, an 8,700 overall reduction in the state government workforce, tax cuts worth $4 billion and $4 billion in Medicaid reform.

• Florida Political Press: "Rick Scott, A Politician With Common Sense" — Written by Matthew Falconer, who said he attended the private luncheon in Eustis, where Gov. Scott first revealed his budget. Excerpt: “The fact Rick Scott traveled to Eustis to present the budget to the Tea Party means a great deal to the volunteers in the movement for fiscal responsibility . . . When asked about the pension reforms he said most states require public employees to contribute to their pension plans and almost all private sector companies require employee contribution as well. Sounds logical to me.”

• Florida Democrats: "Chairman Smith Reacts to Rick Scott’s Job-Killing Budget"— Statement by Florida Democratic Party Chairman Rod Smith. Excerpt: “In addition to killing jobs, the Governor’s budget slashes funding for Florida’s children, cuts disability programs for the most vulnerable in our society, and slashes veterans funding while at the same time more than doubling spending on his personal office. This budget from the Governor is a frontal assault on the quality of life of every Floridian and will not create a single job nor spur our economy forward; instead it takes us further into the economic ditch."

• Hillsborough County School District: "Superintendent's Budget Updates 2011," posted Feb. 4, three days before Gov. Scott revealed his budget, on behalf of School Superintendent MaryEllen Elia. Excerpt: "We expect to see legislation very soon that, if passed, could have an enormous impact on our overall budget and on our retirement benefits.  As those proposals take shape, we will do our best to keep you informed because they affect your school, your finances, and your family."

• Florida Senate: "Statement by Florida Senate Majority Leader Andy Gardiner on Gov. Scott's Budget Proposal" — Excerpt: "Governor Rick Scott laid out his budget plan today to contend with our state’s $3.6 billion deficit. Our most important responsibility in the Florida Legislature is to help get our state’s economy back on track. Senate Republicans will continue to work hard on policies that cultivate an attractive business environment in which the economy and jobs for Floridians can flourish again."

• Florida Senate: "Statement by Senate Democratic Leader Nan Rich on Governor's Budget Plan" — Excerpt: "It is foolish to believe that lowering corporate taxes any further – a tax first approved by the residents of this state in the interest of fairness – will now magically spur job creation. The retreaded voodoo economics we heard today will not right this ship. But it will drill more holes in our already badly damaged public education. It will further eliminate the life rafts hundred of thousands of Floridians have had to turn to for basic survival because their jobs, their benefits and their homes have disappeared."

• Florida Senate: "Statement by Senate President Mike Haridopolis on Gov. Scott's Budget Recommendations" — Full Text: "It’s impressive that after one month on the job Governor Scott has prepared a comprehensive budget so quickly. The Senate is dedicated to working with the Governor to provide a balanced budget with no new taxes. The best way to improve the business environment in Florida is to keep taxes low and live within our means. We will do that. I also thank Governor Scott for unveiling his proposed budget directly to the people so that he can get feedback from the citizens of Florida."

• St. Petersburg Times (tampabay.com): "Teachers, Police Officers and Firefighters Upset About Scott's Pension Plans" — Excerpt: "(Gov.) Scott, in the budget he unveiled Monday (Feb. 7), called for an overhaul of the state's pension system for teachers, police officers, firefighters and other state and county workers. He wants to them to contribute 5 percent of their pay to their retirement accounts, instead of the state covering the entire expense. Most states require at least some employees to contribute toward their retirement."

• Tampa Bay Online (TBO.com): "Scott: $3.3 Billion in Education Cuts are From Federal Funds" — Excerpt: "In an afternoon press conference, Scott reiterated that 'there's no cut to education out of state education funds.' He said funds cut are from federal funds that the state relied on. 'We're not going to take federal money and believe it's going to be there forever,' he said. Mark Pudlow, spokesman for the Florida Education Association, said the cuts are 'kind of devastating for education as far as we can see.  Our first glance at it is not good news.' "

• Orlando Sentinel: Florida Gov. Rick Scott Proposes $4.6 Billion in Budget Cuts — Excerpt: "Gov. Rick Scott proposed an austere $65.8 billion spending plan Monday that levies deep cuts to classroom spending and privatizes social services in order to afford $1.7 billion in tax cuts for property owners and corporations."

• Miami Herald: "Gov. Scott Proposes Spending Cuts, Lower Taxes" — Excerpt: "Scott's proposal was cheered by conservative activists and businesses, but it provoked a lukewarm response from fellow Republicans in the state Capitol. Democrats, unions and state workers could barely contain their bitterness over Scott's calls to cut billions from schools, pensions and health programs."

• Wall Street Journal: "Florida Governor Seeks Cuts in Budget" — Excerpt: "Gov. Rick Scott called Monday (Feb. 7) for overhauling Florida's Medicaid program, curbing its pension system and trimming government services as he detailed a budget proposal he had promised would be full of big cuts . . . In one of his more controversial recommendations, the governor proposed pension-system changes that would require public employees to contribute 5 percent of their salaries to the retirement system and would direct new hires into 401(k)-style plans. He estimated the changes would save about $1.4 billion a year."