Forced to cut $6 billion from its budget, the state enacted new fees, cut spending for some statewide programs and services and transferred money from trust funds to help balance the $66.5 billion budget. 

“To think we’re going to get out of this economic situation this year is a little optimistic,” she said.

SunRail, the commuter rail project voted down on the last day of the session, had the support of most of the delegation, which saw it as a major economic development booster for Central Florida.

Dockery, who voted against the $1.4 billion project, said the agreement between the state and the freight company CSX was unfair to taxpayers. The state would have purchased the tracks from CSX and then made improvements. Dockery said voters didn’t have enough input in the development of the commuter rail plan. Dockery also lobbied against the agreement that would shift liability to the state for accidents.

“This was paying very much, and not getting very much in return,” Dockery said. The accessibility it would have given residents would have benefited the region, though, Sen. Andy Gardiner, R-Orlando, said.

“When you look at the economic impact, it more than makes up concerns of the cost,” Gardiner said.

The Legislature also approved a bill allowing deregulation of the property insurance sector. Known as the “State Farm Bill,” it would allow several large and well-known insurance companies working in the state to set their own rates without having to seek state approval.

According to legislators, the bill would give Floridians more choices when selecting property insurance, regardless of cost. Citizens Property Insurance, which is sponsored by the state, usually offers rates lower than most well known providers. But they’re under funded, which could pose a problem for the state if a major disaster occurred and the company is unable to pay claims, Rep. Mike Horner, R-Kissimmee, said.

The bill would allow residents to switch to a provider with a higher rate, but with enough money to pay large claims. They also could switch to smaller companies that would still be regulated by the state.

Citizens Property Insurance, while operating with a smaller fund than its competitors, could still pose a risk to the private insurance companies though, Horner said.

“They can put the private sector out of business,” he said.

In August, the Legislature will decide on an agreement with the Seminole Tribe of Florida to bring in about $150 million per year for the state from casino funds. Most of the money generated would go toward education spending. In return, the state would allow the Seminole Hard Rock Casinos in South Florida and Tampa keep slot machines in their casinos.

The deal has been opposed by Dockery, Horner and Rep. Stephen Precourt, R- Winter Garden.

“We shouldn’t be doing this to ourselves