Florida Budget Surplus hits $1 Billion

[spuwho]

Per the JBJ:

http://www.bizjournals.com/jacksonville/blog/morning-edition/2014/12/state-budget-nears-1-billion-surplus.html

The surplus for next year's state budget is nearing $1 billion, giving lawmakers more room to bankroll their priorities as well as Gov. Rick Scott's call for additional tax cuts and record per-student school funding.

At a meeting Monday, state economists added $622 million to the total available for Scott to use when he proposes his spending plan for the coming budget year, which begins July 1. That would be in addition to the approximately $336 million surplus that had been projected earlier.

The new numbers come with some caveats. Since the earlier projections, there are increased spending needs in some areas of the budget, though projected spending in other areas has been reduced. And economists will meet to predict whether a few other areas of the budget might demand more or less money in the future.

[urbanlibertarian]

Are state employee pensions fully funded?

[finehoe]

Are state employee pensions fully funded?

"Dennis Mackee, communications director for the State Board of Administration, said the Florida Retirement System is funded at 85.9 percent, assets to liabilities, which works out to a gap of $21.6 billion."

http://tbo.com/news/politics/lawmakers-eye-changes-to-florida-retirement-system-20140208/

[mbwright]

Maybe some roads and bridges and other projects can be done. 

[urbanlibertarian]

Are state employee pensions fully funded?

"Dennis Mackee, communications director for the State Board of Administration, said the Florida Retirement System is funded at 85.9 percent, assets to liabilities, which works out to a gap of $21.6 billion."

http://tbo.com/news/politics/lawmakers-eye-changes-to-florida-retirement-system-20140208/

Putting the lion's share of that surplus towards state employee pension funding would be a great benefit to future Florida taxpayers.

[spuwho]

It would help the pension, no doubts there, but lets get real.

Politicians throughout want to show off their pork abilities. We are going to see some interesting projects come to light in various districts.

To toss it all into one place that no politician can crow about (even though the benefits long term are tremendous) is politically unrealistic.

Instead, what should Duval representatives vote for?  How should it be used?

[Charles Hunter]

It would help the pension, no doubts there, but lets get real.

Politicians throughout want to show off their pork abilities. We are going to see some interesting projects come to light in various districts.

To toss it all into one place that no politician can crow about (even though the benefits long term are tremendous) is politically unrealistic.

Instead, what should Duval representatives vote for?  How should it be used?

Ock:  "Streetcars for everyone!"

Noone:  "Kayak launches for everyone"