House and Senate budget chairmen said Thursday they have reached
common ground on several major spending differences, which likely sets
the stage for smooth negotiations over the next week. The Buzz reports that Rep. Ray Sansom,
R-Destin, the House budget chairman, said he and his Senate
counterpart, Lisa Carlton, are in accord on the following issues:

* No increase in school property taxes to fund public schools
(Senate agreed to House position). "There's not going to be a property
tax increase," Sansom said. "They (senators) recognized that was an
important position for the House."

* A scaled-back, seven-day back-to-school sales tax holiday in
August on school items excluding books, which will reduce tax revenue
by about $23-million (Senate agreed to House position). More here.