State's new budget mixed bag for Treasure Coast

Florida's new $70 billion spending blueprint slashes payments to needy patients' health-care providers, boosts public schools but slams Florida universities and pledges no new taxes while pushing counties to contribute millions more.
In the latest rendition of the budget passed Friday, 2012-13 breaks down into a mixed bag for Treasure Coast state budget stakeholders. The GOP-led Legislature stayed steadfast in its no-new-taxes creed and followed Gov. Rick Scott's marching orders to scrape together about another $1 billion for public schools — in tough budget times, two clashing goals.
Schools reeling from cuts last year will use the added money to stay sturdy in 2012-13. But district officials said another billion doesn't solve public schools' long-term funding woes.
"I think this budget reflects the economic challenges in Florida, yet funds our key priorities," said Sen. Joe Negron, R-Stuart.
Where lawmakers made up the money is hit or miss. Local hospitals will lose millions with slimmed-down payments for taking in Medicaid patients, but money for tourism advertising doubled and economic development programs went up 13 percent.
Counties will pay millions in potentially faulty Medicaid bills to balance Florida's budget, while pet projects in lawmakers' backyards line up for state money. Even a few Republicans voted against the budget because of the special deals. Sarasota Rowing Center and a Major League Soccer training camp, for example, would get $1 million each. Scott actually vetoed money for the same regatta center last year, and within the next two weeks he can do it again for any line item.
Amid the headline-grabbing bump to schools and backyard member projects, more environmental dollars also will flow into the Treasure Coast, rounding out a budget that has big implications all over the board.