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Several Florida advocacy groups have joined forces to ask lawmakers to spare health care programs.

With the state facing another billion dollar budget shortfall, The Florida’s People, Florida’s Promise Initiative wants lawmakers to close tax loopholes, like those on dry cleaning and bottled water, before cutting programs. Bob Sharpe with the Council of Community Mental Health said cutting services now will cause more expensive problems down the road.

“You don’t void an expense when you don’t invest in certain community preventive programs for the individuals. You’ll still have expenses, and you’ll end up spending more for the wrong kind of care and get poorer outcomes,” said Sharpe.

Besides closing tax loopholes supporters of the initiative want the state to collect taxes on internet sales.