TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) - Gov. Charlie Crist has signed an austere $66 billion budget after vetoing $251 million in spending.

The budget for the fiscal year beginning July 1 is about $4 billion less than what the state currently is spending.

Crist quietly signed the budget Wednesday without the usual ceremony. It cuts spending for schools, health care and other services.

In a written statement, he said the budget, though, would still provide essential services at meaningful levels, protect the state's most vulnerable citizens and keep Floridians and visitors safe.


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