TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Legislative leaders maintain the state has enough money in reserves to get through the initial economic hit from COVID-19, as Florida Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis wants state analysts to quickly update revenue forecasts.
The Senate and House issued statements Monday reiterating that nearly $4 billion in reserves included in a fiscal 2020-2021 budget approved Thursday should help get the state through the crisis. “We are being proactive and vigilant, closely monitoring the developing impacts COVID-19 is having on our economy and state revenues,” Senate President Bill Galvano, R-Bradenton, said in a statement. “I have been working with (the Legislature’s Office of Economic and Demographic Research) and our Senate