Story by Dave Wahl

Public education is taking a big hit. State lawmakers cut almost $500 million dollars in funding for K-12. For lake County that means a reduction of $5.4 million or $134 per student. In Orange, $23.7 million or $140 per student. Osceola would lose $7 million or $136 per student. Seminole a cut of $8.8 million or $135 per student and $8.5 million of $136 in Volusia.

As for universities and community colleges in Florida, the loss would be about 4 percent of their state budgets. At the University of Central Florida the loss would be $11 million. Valencia Community College would get cut $2.6 million.

Other spending reductions are coming for Medicaid reimbursements to hospitals that provide charity care to the uninsured. County health departments would lose 5 percent. In addition, hospice care, the state-funded prescription drug program and Alzheimer's programs would see cuts.