Less than 48-hours after telling GOP lawmakers that their budget cuts would result in a loss of critically needed state employees, Senate Democratic Leader Al Lawson (D-Tallahassee) called on Gov. Charlie Crist to veto the budget and recall the legislature to Tallahassee to "get the job done right."
In his statement, the Democratic Leader and FAMU alumnus responded to an announcement that the Department of Corrections just laid off 66 probation officers in response to the $2.8 billion in cuts levied by the Republican-controlled legislature.
“The loss of 66 probation officers not only jeopardizes public safety, it puts more strain on law enforcement and our court system already stretched to the breaking point,” Lawson said. “These people are our first line of defense, the ones who monitor offenders released from prison, among them those charged with serious crimes including sexual offenders.”
Additionally, Lawson also asked the governor to strike $10 million approved for his so-called “economic stimulus” program, which the Democratic Leader believes is “a risky gamble” that is “funded by axing existing jobs for iffy future ones.”
In calling for action, Lawson used some his strongest language yet against the GOP budget plan.
“This state has grown weary of drinking the Republican kool aid. We called on the governor to lead the state forward by examining alternative options. Without raising a penny in new taxes on working families, closing [special interest tax] loopholes would have netted critical revenue to avert the loss of state services and protections including front line law enforcement officers,” he said.
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