Lawmakers promise to fund road, rail plans But schools could lose money when the $70 billion state budget is cut as the economy slows

Despite a tight budget year, Orange County should fare well when the Florida Legislature convenes for its regular session this week, key lawmakers from Central Florida say.

"I've heard this is going to be the worst [budget] situation ever," said Orange County government's chief lobbyist Mark Jeffries. "And the budget is going to drive everything."

A slumping housing market and weakening overall economy is driving Florida lawmakers to make sizable cuts to the state's $70 billion budget. That could mean funding fights for county mental health services and medical clinics, he said.

"Everybody has reason for concern," Jeffries said.

But while state Sen. Dan Webster, R-Winter Garden, agrees that some programs face a "difficult" future this session, the term-limited lawmaker has still drafted an ambitious wish list before he leaves office.

Webster said his top priorities this session includes providing a three-year plan to reconstruct Interstate 4 and begin work on the Wekiva Parkway that would complete a Central Florida beltway. Both projects would use toll funds to complete, he said.

Webster said he also wants to secure funding for Central Florida's ambitious commuter-rail project, which carries a $491 million price tag.

"I'm very optimistic we can get those three things," he said. "We'll get that money. But it will be a fight to the finish."

Despite gloomy budget predictions, state Rep. Dean Cannon, R-Winter Park, said he will team with Webster and other Central Florida lawmakers to fund the region's major needs, including support for the University of Central Florida's new medical school.

"I don't think people understand the magnitude of the budget challenge we face," Cannon said, noting that recurring programs face the biggest threats.

For instance, lawmakers recently announced plans to slash more than $500 million from the $70 billion budget right after the session begins next week, with elementary, middle and high schools bearing the brunt of it.

But the region's transportation and higher education needs "have a nice mixture of community support" and should survive a tight budget season, Cannon said.

"There's certainly the political will for it," Cannon said.

Orange County has several other large and small projects on its legislative wish list this year.

Among them:

*State support for environmentally friendly building projects and solar cells on the convention center.

*Opposition to efforts to increase local funding for juvenile justice, and attempts to reduce affordable housing aid.

*Supporting the installation of cameras to catch red-light runners, with fines used for equipment costs.

The red-light measure may have cleared its highest hurdle since state Sen. Carey Baker, R-Eustis, recently signaled his support, lawmakers say.







CONTACT: David Damron can be reached at ddamron@orlandosentinel.com or 407-420-5311.