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Alexandria, VA – Bob Williams, President of State Budget Solutions (SBS), a national nonprofit organization advocating for fundamental reform of state budgets and pensions, released the following statement regarding Florida Governor Rick Scott’s proposed state budget for Fiscal Year 2014 that he unveiled yesterday.

“Gov. Scott’s proposed budget increases state spending by $4 billion, making it the largest budget in Florida’s history. But even with the excessive spending this budget includes, it fails to pay off its $631 million in unemployment insurance loan from the federal government and doesn’t put a dent in the massive unfunded pension liabilities.

Gov. Scott’s spending spree is reckless and dangerous to the Florida economy. A more responsible approach would be to set aside a reserve to have in the event of federal budget cuts. In 2011, Florida received 37% of its total budget from the federal government, an increase from 28% in 2008. Florida will be lucky if, after the federal budget cuts this year, the state still receives 30% of its total budget from the federal government. Saving now will minimize the impact on Floridians later.

Now is not the time for Florida to spend more than it ever has in state history. State Budget Solutions urges Florida’s leaders to address the state’s debt, proactively plan for future cuts and use available funds to address the state’s pension issues.”