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Lawmakers Working to Finish Budget

May 02, 2011 | WMFE - The Florida Legislature is in the final stages of crafting a $68 billion dollar budget for the next fiscal year. The spending plan cuts nearly $4 billion dollars mostly from education and health care.

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The plan would reduce per student spending in public schools by $540. Senator David Simmons said districts can make up most of that shortfall by requiring teachers to pay 3% of their salaries into their pensions.
He concedes that amounts to a pay cut for teachers.
"I’m not happy with that, it’s not something anyone can say with any kind of joy.” Simmons said.  “It’s the kind of thing that you just have to face up to and you go ahead and balance the budget.”
Negotiations are now in the hands of the Senate President and House Speaker.
Lawmakers are facing a Friday deadline to end the 2011 Legislative Session.


 

 

 

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