Getting closer to a state budget

TALLAHASSEE - House Speaker Larry Cretul said Tuesday that he's willing to consider most tax increases the Senate has proposed - including a $1-a-pack hike on cigarettes - if it agrees to what he wants: bigger spending cuts.

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Senate leaders have been critical of House proposals to cut funding for higher education and highway construction.

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The Senate has proposed a $65.6 billion budget for the fiscal year starting July 1, $549 million higher than the House version.

"We have informed the Senate that we would be willing to consider supporting nearly all of the proposals for additional revenues contained in their budget," Cretul said. "But in return, the House is asking the Senate to support nearly all spending reductions proposed by the House."

What this means is more...stuff.

Anyway, if you're interested follow the link.