Not-So-Special Session

Let’s not kid ourselves about the current Special Session of the Florida Legislature; it is anything but “special.”

Special would imply that something extraordinary might happen, something that hasn’t happened before…

Like considering sources of new revenue instead of just budget cuts.

Like reconsidering some outdated special interest tax breaks instead of cutting millions from public schools.

Like holding to promises not to cut programs for those in need.

Like not treating trust funds as rainy day accounts.

If any of these things were to occur, this special session would be special.  But none of then will.

What will happen this special session is exactly what happened last special session and the one before that.  Tallahassee will ignore the long-term, structural problems facing our state’s economy and attempt to balance the budget with additional short-term quick fixes (like raiding trust funds), only guaranteeing future special session after special session until some time in the future when we have elected officials more committed to solving our state’s problems than to their re-election.

And as if that wasn’t bad enough, consider this – while the state legislature meets with no intention of solving any of the state’s real problems, we’re paying $40,000 dollar a day for them to do so.

So go ahead and add that to our already growing $2.3 billion dollar deficit.

Posted by Bernie Campbell on Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Permalink: Not-So-Special Session