Pensacola News Journal – March 8, 2011
TALLAHASSEE — Florida legislators arrived at the Capitol in a festive mood Monday and raced through a few political formalities in preparation for two months of difficult wrangling over budget cuts, a major overhaul of public-employee pensions and preparations for the 2012 elections.
“There’s going to be a balanced budget 61 days from now,” said Senate President Mike Haridopolos, R-Merritt Island. “And we’re going to do it without increasing taxes or fees.”
Gov. Rick Scott said his State of the State speech this evening will stick to what got him elected. He told officials of Associated Industries of Florida, the state’s major business lobby, that economic development powered by tax cuts and reduction of state regulations will be his core mission for the session. Read More