By Jodie Tillman, Times staff writer
Friday, January 21, 2011
TRINITY — The days of bold financial requests were long gone by Friday afternoon, when local leaders appeared before Pasco County's legislative delegation.
The state Legislature, after all, must close a projected $3.5 billion deficit this session.
"We're kind of walking on new ground, and we're walking on eggshells," said Pasco County Commission Chairwoman Ann Hildebrand. "It's hard to be asking for new things when we're skating on thin ice."
So the requests were more along the lines of: Don't cut too much. Pass laws to ease school budgets and spur growth in local governments. Be careful about Medicaid changes that could decimate many of the community-based elderly care programs.
"Legislators always talk about their constituents. … I just hope you understand I have constituents, too," said State Attorney Bernie McCabe. He said his office ...