Gov. Crist's approach to trimming the current-year budget is to put off today's problems until tomorrow. His defense is that "economically, it's raining in Florida." But the rainfall is turning into a storm, making this a particularly bad time to give away umbrellas.
The governor's proposal, released last week, will be considered during a special session starting Jan. 5. To make up a $2.3 billion mid-year budget shortfall, it drains reserves and trust funds, adds debt to pay for prisons and slashes spending across the board. It also relies on the dubious proposition that the Legislature immediately will approve the governor's agreement with the Seminole Indians, trading exclusive rights to blackjack and baccarat for a minimum annual payment of $100 million.
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