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Florida is facing another 1.5 billion dollar budget deficit, and to make ends meet legislative leaders say everything is on the table… including more state workers layoffs. Last session, 15-hundred folks were let go… and unfilled positions are being eliminated. As Whitney Ray tells us, more layoffs are likely.

150 positions at the Florida Department of Transportation are being eliminated to keep up with falling gas tax revenues.

“We feel very comfortable reducing 150 positions because the work is not there,” said DOT Secretary Ananth Prasad.

The state is going after unfilled positions now, but when there are no more empty seats to cut…. layoffs may ensue.

15-hundred positions were eliminated last session and lawmakers will have to make tough decisions again this session, because Florida is facing another 1.5 billion dollar shortfall. Senate President Mike Haridopolos thinks the budget hole could be even deeper.

“I’m going to be pessimistic unfortunately and I’d rather be safe than sorry,” said Haridopolos.

He says more state government layoffs have to be explored.

“It’s been brutal and government is feeling it as much as the private sector finally,” said Haridopolos.

We caught up with Governor Rick Scott before he embarked on his trade mission to Brazil.

He plans to return to Florida with good news about jobs… and hopes to avoid more state worker layoffs.

“I hope not, but you know in business we have to get more efficient all the time,” said Scott.

Besides the 15-hundred state worker layoffs after last session, thousands of other government positions were also cut because the state funneled less money schools, fire stations and local governments.

Even though the state is working with fewer dollars, more corporate tax cuts are likely to be approved this session. Supporters of the tax breaks say, in the long run, the cuts will create jobs.