The Florida Legislature will convene for the 2009 A Special Session on Monday, January 5, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. to address the $2 billion-plus budget shortfall for 2008-2009. The following is a statement from House Speaker Ray Sansom and Senate President Jeff Atwater.

“Members, based on a careful review of the status of the 2008-09 state budget, and after consultation with Governor Crist’s office, we have concluded that it is in the best financial interests of the state that we convene in a special session from January 5 through January 16. The purpose of the special session will be to address the estimated $2 billion-plus shortfall in the current fiscal year’s budget through a combination of spending reductions and trust fund transfers."

"The House and Senate budget committee meetings this week will provide you an opportunity to begin to prepare for the special session. The budget challenges before us are serious; we are prepared to meet those challenges. We intend to provide essential services to the citizens in a fiscally prudent way.”

Download the joint proclamation.