Economists Project Florida Revenue Growth

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TALLAHASSEE (CBSmiami/AP) — State economists are meeting to try and figure out just how much Florida will collect in taxes in the coming years.

The forecasts will be used to draw up a three-year outlook for the state budget.

Preliminary forecasts show that the state's economy continues to grow, although not as much as once predicted.

Estimates show that economists expect the state's main budget account to grow nearly four percent during the fiscal year that ends next June. But they are predicting growth as high as 4.6 percent in the 2017-18 fiscal year.

If the forecasts hold it would give legislators nearly $2 billion extra for 2017.

Still, the number of public school students continues to grow and Medicaid expenses could also increase. Those expenses could shrink the size of any surplus.

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