The infusion amounts to less than 0.2 percent of the state’s current annual budget.
Lawmakers aren’t expected to face a shortfall in the budget year that begins July 1. But by the following year, lawmakers could be $1.3 billion short of how much they will need to cover expected spending, with a $1.9 billion hole projected the year after that.
“The changes we’ve done in the revenue estimates really haven’t improved anything in that regard,” Baker said.
Senate President Joe Negron, R-Stuart, indicated Friday that the revised forecast also didn’t do anything to change how leaders will shape their spending plans.
“As we evaluate our budget priorities, it is likely that funding for new initiatives will be offset by reduced spending on projects and programs added to the budget by prior legislatures. … I remain confident that working with our existing revenues, we can pass a balanced budget that meets the needs of our state and reflects the priorities of the constituents who elected us,” Negron said in a statement issued by a spokeswoman.