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Ambler sees tough choices

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By MICHELE SAGER

msager@tampatrib.com

Published: November 25, 2009

CARROLLWOOD - The Florida economy will turn around but it will take the work both of residents and of government leaders to make it happen.

That was the message from state Rep. Kevin Ambler at a recent law forum in Carrollwood. The Republican legislator was headlining the event which also featured local lawyers discussing legal issues.

Ambler focused on Florida's economic recovery.

"Florida will recover but it requires a balanced budget and tougher choices," Ambler said.

He said Florida is facing a funding shortfall and the state budget already has been cut to the bone. That means residents will see more services eliminated and more fees.

Ambler noted the recent admission fees required at some Hillsborough County regional parks.

"People have to make a choice between paying a couple of dollars or possibly seeing these parks shut down," he said.

He spoke about new bills that will cap local governments' ability to increase revenue through taxes.

Ambler also said more needs to be done to create jobs.

"We need to encourage more companies to come here through incentives," he said.

He noted the recent success of attracting a top special-effects studio, Digital Domain, to the state. The studio co-founded by director James Cameron of "Titanic" fame will bring high-paying jobs to Florida and an education partnership with Florida State University.

And Ambler said Florida's education system remains an attractive commodity. Despite recent raises in tuition costs, the state's public universities still have the lowest tuition rates in the nation.

Also, Florida's K-12 system was ranked 10th in the nation by Education Week magazine, Ambler said.

"You don't hear about those things in the media," he said.

He noted the success of his Ought to Be a Law program which gives high school students a chance to learn the bill-making process and compete to create their own bill to go before the Florida Legislature.

Reporter Michele Sager can be reached at (727) 451-2344.

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