TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Florida's economy continues to have slow steady growth.
State economists met Tuesday to draw up new forecasts to predict how much the state will collect in taxes.
The forecasts will be used by state legislators as they draw up this year's budget.
Economists expect the state's main budget account to grow nearly 5 percent during the fiscal year that ends in June. They predict growth of an additional 4.5 percent in the 2015-16 fiscal year.
Amy Baker, coordinator of the Office of Economic and Demographic Research, called the changes "marginal" from previous estimates.
That leaves legislators with roughly $1 billion extra in state money for this year. But the loss of federal aid that now goes to hospitals may make it hard for legislators to balance this year's budget.
Copyright 2015 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
