Final April sales tax drop: $91 million

State forecasters tried to be pessimistic but they weren't doubtful enough because the April revenue estimates were $91 million lower than projections. That's the official number posted today by the legislature's Office of Economic and Demographic Research.

That makes the total drop in collections $140 million, since the last official forecast in March when lawmakers revised the 2007-08 state budget and cut spending. Download april_revenue_report.pdf 

House Policy and Budget chairman Ray Sansom issued the following statement:

      "As the national economic downturn continues to impact Florida, the House and Senate are working closely with the Governor’s Office to ensure we receive adequate revenues in May and June to fund the state’s approved budget for Fiscal Year 2007-08.

     "General Revenue collections have continued to be below our most recent projections, eroding the $322 million we saved to buffer the state’s budget against such shortfalls.  However, the estimating conference will be making technical adjustments to the current year financial outlook, including legislative session actions and updated budget reversion figures, that will avert a deficit between now and July 1."