Lawson Highlights 2008 Legislative Session

The 2008 Legislative Session wrapped up on Friday, May 2. A $66 billion state budget passed late Friday by both the Senate and the House. The following is a summary of key issues provided by Senator Al Lawson (D-Tallahassee):

The 2008 session presented lawmakers with one of the leanest budgets ever. Legislators faced an estimated $6 billion revenue shortfall and were left with the daunting task of making some very difficult cuts to health care, education, transportation and the justice system.

However, Lawson worked tirelessly during the 60-day session to ensure that the 11 small counties in his district continued to receive funding from programs that benefit small rural counties. As a result, small counties fared better than expected.

To help small counties with their road construction and resurfacing needs, the budget included $25 million for the Small County Resurfacing Assistance Program (SCRAP) and $43 million for the Small County Outreach Program (SCOP).

Lawson also championed the effort to put $10 million in the budget for fiscally constrained counties to help offset the cost of implementing Amendment 1, the property tax cut voted upon by voters in the last election. Additionally, small counties received $9 million for consolidated Solid Waste Management Grants to help support their waste tire, recycling, and general solid waste management programs.

"One of the major disappointments I have this year is the fact that there will be no pay raises for state workers for two years running," Lawson said. He worked hard along with his delegation members in the House and Senate to help minimize layoffs in corrections and other critical areas in state government. Additionally, the state workers will not receive an increase in their health insurance premium and drug co-payments this year.

Franklin County received a number of local projects in the budget this year, led by $9.56 million for a 288-bed work camp adjacent to the Franklin Correctional Institution outside Carrabelle; .$319,638 for Weems Memorial Hospital, to repay a debt to the Agency for Health Care Administration accrued under the previous Dassee Community Health Systems administration; $150,000 for a Franklin County Seafood landing Park; $135,199 for Carrabelle Recreation Park Phase IV; $135,199 for City of Carrabelle Wharf Park; and $100,000 for Eastpoint's Vrooman Park.