Florida's capitol has been completely controlled by Republicans for the past ten years, and with that regime has come tax cut after tax cut after tax cut. Jeb Bush cut taxes by $12.2 billion during his terms, with half of those savings going toward the wealthiest 4.5 percent. Charlie Crist earlier this year strongly supported a tax cut amendment that passed. He has also done his best to continue to cut taxes.
But tax cuts must come with responsible cuts to government programs and effective streamlining. Tallahassee failed to do that, and now we're stuck with a $2.4 billion budget deficit (though, thanks in part to the recession). Guess who'll be paying for it? Public school kids.
Public schools are taking the heaviest hit in this week's emergency budget-slashing session, and Miami-Dade County Public Schools might lose just under $48 million in funding. The numbers from the House and Senate are virtually the same. Charlie Crist isn't as comfortable with the education-gutting and wants to find ways to borrow money to make up for the deficit. Either way, someone is going to have to pay for it.
Gee, I sure hope the wealthiest 4.5 percent of Floridians enjoyed their massive tax breaks, because now the school kids will be paying for it.
