TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Tax relief for Floridians is up in the air because of disagreements between lawmakers in Tallahassee.
Senate President Ben Albritton, R-Wauchula, said philosophical differences are stalling progress with the state budget, specifically over tax relief plans.
The ongoing dispute prompted the House to take Monday off, while the Senate is set to meet Monday afternoon.
The two chambers face a tight deadline as the state nears the end of the 60-day legislative session on Friday, and now they are headed to overtime.
Dealing with differences
The House and Senate budget proposals show a significant $4 billion gap, with the House’s proposal at $112.95 billion and the Senate’s at $117.36 billion.
Tax cuts are also a point of contention, with the House proposing a $5 billion package, while the Senate offers a $1.83 billion plan.
Even if things were to move quickly and efficiently, the Florida constitution requires a 72-hour “cooling off” period before any spending plan could take effect.
Knowing the session is headed to overtime, House Speaker Daniel Perez, R-Miami, last week called off the House floor session for Monday. Just a day before, he called out the Senate for budget issues that could have long-term effects.
“We came to the only conclusion possible that this state legislature has become addicted to spending money, and if we don’t admit that we have a problem and get help, the fiscal health of our state is at risk,” Perez said.
Democrat departure
In the midst of the turmoil, Senate Minority Leader Jason Pizzo also made a stunning announcement last week.
He said he has left the Democratic Party and registered as a voter with no party affiliation.
Pizzo, who was quickly replaced as minority leader by Sen. Lori Berman, announced his move late Thursday afternoon on the Senate floor before the chamber adjourned for the weekend.
“I am not in this position because of Democrats. I got elected because of NPAs. The 3.7 million people who have no party, who have no representation. They are those who put you here as well. I consider all of you my friends, and I think stripping myself of a title of a party designation allows me to run free and clear, clean and transparent, and help many, many more (people),” Pizzo said.
Pizzo said the Democratic Party in Florida “is dead. ”
“There are good people that can resuscitate it. But they don’t want it to be me,” Pizzo, who became minority leader after the November elections, said.
Pizzo’s defection is the latest legislative loss for Democrats. Two House members — Susan Valdés of Tampa and Hillary Cassel of Dania Beach — switched to the Republican Party following the November elections. Democrats now hold 10 of 40 seats in the Senate; two seats are vacant.
