P.M. BRIEFING : Fla. Governor Urges Cutbacks
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TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Gov. Bob Martinez today asked state agencies to cut their budgets 5% in the wake of gloomy economic forecasts projecting a more than $500-million shortfall in tax collections.
“Obviously now the budget was adopted based on a forecast that isn’t living up to its billing and we’re going to have to make that change,” Martinez said. “It’s never easy to do, but it’s the only responsible thing to do.”
State Budget Director Patti Woodworth said she could not predict whether agencies will have to lay off workers but that some services will have to be pared.
The Legislature approved about $1.5 billion in new taxes during the spring session, but it wasn’t enough to make up for the lagging collections in existing taxes.
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