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Jeb! subsidizes the rich on the backs of the poor

Good news! Florida has extra money to spend this year! Now we can afford to produce a meaningful Pre-K program uh provide adequate medicaid coverage to seniors and the poor uh lower tuition costs for needy students uh cut taxes for wealthy investors and businesses.

With economic growth driving billions of added dollars into the state's coffers, Florida will have enough money to boost spending on essential programs and cut taxes as well, Gov. Jeb Bush said Monday.

``We can do both,'' he said a day before issuing his budget proposal for the fiscal year that starts July 1.

The governor said Florida will have $4.5 billion more coming into the state treasury - at least.

Although Bush won't lay out his full plan until today, he has outlined some of his priorities, including reforming the $15 billion health-care program that pays for most of the nursing home care in the state and expanding reading initiatives.

The governor last week said he would propose an increase in the current $57 billion budget ``well below'' 5.6 percent, which is the anticipated growth in personal income in Florida.

The governor's budget proposal is just a recommendation to state lawmakers, who will write a state budget during the two-month legislative session that begins March 8.

The governor's goal of tax relief will find a warm reception in the Legislature, where Republicans far outnumber Democrats.

Lawmakers last year cut taxes for businesses, shoppers and drivers to the tune of about $220 million. More than half of that break went to businesses, which got about $125 million in relief.
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Bush has been coy on details, but the top budget-writer in the House said last week he wants lawmakers to repeal what's left of the intangibles tax on stocks and bonds this year.

Because Florida’s sales tax based revenue system simply isn’t regressive enough.

More here.

Buoyed by Wall Street's recent endorsement of Florida's fiscal thriftiness, Republican Gov. Jeb Bush is expected today to unveil a spending plan that cuts taxes, borrows less and reins in social service spending.

Manufacturers, researchers and investors are expected to see a windfall, environmental preservation will proceed without going deeper into debt and the impoverished sick could feel the pinch.