SCOTT BUDGET CUTS HIT LOVELAND CENTER

GOVERNOR RICK SCOTT SIGNED THE 2011 BUDGET INTO LAW THURSDAY IN THE VILLAGES, BUT HIS LINE ITEM VETOS HIT VERY CLOSE TO HOME.  A HALF MILLION DOLLARS THAT WAS TARGETED FOR THE LOVELAND CENTER WAS SLASHED TO THE SURPRISE OF STATE SENATOR NANCY DETERT OF VENICE, WHO TOLD THE HERALD TRIBUNE SHE THINKS HE MISUNDERSTOOD THIS PROJECT.  DETERT TOLD THE PAPER THAT SCOTT APPEARED TO BE LOOKING TO HIT A MAGIC NUMBER WITHOUT KNOWING WHAT HE WAS CUTTING.  THE LOVELAND CENTER, WHICH IS LOCATED IN VENICE, HELPS THE DEVELOPMENTALLY DISABLED LIVE INDEPENDENTLY ON THEIR OWN RATHER THAN REQUIRE GOVERNMENT ENTITLEMENT PROGRAMS.  DETERT BELIEVES THERE IS A GOOD CHANCE OF A VETO OVERRIDE WHEN IT’S BROUGHT BACK UP IN THE NEXT LEGISLATIVE SESSION.  SEVERAL OTHER SARASOTA COUNTY PROJECTS ALSO FELT THE BUDGET AXE, INCLUDING BENDERSON PARK IN SARASOTA AND A LIBRARY AT STATE COLLEGE OF FLORIDA.