Budget wars heat up, reveal tensions

APRIL 09, 2008

A key vote in the Senate shows cracks remain in both Senate political caucuses about how this tight budget came together.

Sen. Alex Villalobos wanted to move transportation trust fund money to help the court system. Sen. Lisa Carlton and Sen. Dan Webster said the measure threatened the sanctity of the Senate and called it a loyalty vote (because it moved non-recurring money for recurring purposes). Webster called it "precedent setting."

Sen. Villalobos and Sen. Paula Dockery said that they were aiming for CSX project money and would have pulled the millions straight from that CSX project, had it not been hidden in the budget.

The vote was 16-22 against the amendment.

Republicans voting for it include: Sen. Mike Bennett, Sen. Charlie
Dean, Sen. Paula Dockery, Sen. Rudy Garcia, Sen. Steve Oelrich and Sen.
Alex Villalobos.

Had all the Democrats voted for it, it might have passed (given two
absences). Democrats have a lot of other problems with budget cuts, but
Democrats Mandy Dawson, who was given a chairmanship, along with Sen.
Larcenia Bullard and Sen. Gwen Margolis all voted against it.

Posted by Jennifer Liberto at 10:21:14 am on April 09, 2008 in

Florida Senate

| Permalink | Comments |

Join the discussion: Click to view comments, add yours

Most Recent Blog Posts

U.S. Rep. Cliff Stearns, obscure no more, pushes on Planned Parenthood February 12

Gov. Rick Scott brings familiar message to CPAC February 11

Rubio clear VP favorite at CPAC; Romney edges Santorum in straw poll February 11

Sarah Palin: Brokered convention in Tampa not 'negative' for GOP February 11

Surge in Democrats and independents are shifting Miami-Dade's congressional districts February 11

Legal help for state's poor declines as demand rises February 11

Bondi sends legislative maps to court, 30-day countdown starts February 10

Two years later, art for 'Taj Mahal' courthouse still a matter of dispute February 10

PolitiFact Florida: Sen. Ronda Storms' food stamp law -- how many people use EBT cards at strip clubs anyway? February 10

Black lawmakers say Sen. Gaetz 'rope' remarks are racially insensitive February 10

About the blog

For Florida political news today, the Buzz is your can't-miss-it source. Tampa Bay Times writers offer the latest in Florida politics, the Florida Legislature and the Rick Scott administration. Keep in mind: This is a public forum sponsored and maintained by the Tampa Bay Times. When you post comments here, what you say becomes public and could appear in the newspaper. You are not engaging in private communication with candidates or Times staffers.

E-mail Times political editor Adam Smith: asmith@tampabay.com

ON TWITTER

SPECIAL REPORTS

SITES OF INTEREST

POLITICAL LINKS

TIMES COLUMNS

REAL CLEAR POLITICS BLOG

POLITICS HEADLINES from the AP

Comment Policy

Please be sure your comments are appropriate before submitting them. Inappropriate comments include content that:

Is libelous

Is abusive, harassing, or threatening

Is obscene, vulgar, or profane

Is racially, ethnically or religiously offensive

Is illegal or encourages criminal acts

Is known to be inaccurate or contains a false attribution

Infringes copyrights, trademarks, publicity or any other rights of others

Impersonates anyone (actual or fictitious)

Solicits funds, goods or services, or advertises

Tampa Bay Times does not edit posts but reserves the right to delete comments that violate our policy.

Registration FAQ

Read our Frequently Asked Questions on how to register to comment on the site.