Florida budget cuts take toll on bay area organizations

TAMPA - Governor Rick Scott signed a $69.1 billion budget Thursday in The Villages, a Central Florida retirement community.  In it, he vetoed a record $615 million from Florida's next budget.  That includes money some agencies in the bay area were counting on.

For instance, the Governor is cutting $100,000 from the Family Justice Center in Hillsborough County.

Nikki Daniels with the center belives they may have to cut staff and hours. She said, "I understand that it's not about the value of our project. It's about the process that got us onto that budget in the first place, and the value of our project is fabulous."

Kimberly Alexander said her husband severely beat her until a couple years ago. She says, "He strangled me, punched me in my face and jaw.  Dragged me and began to violently kick me and threw me up against a wall.  When I got thrown against the wall, my head snapped." So she went to the Family Justice Center for help. 

According to Alexander, if the center has to cut services, many people who are victims, may not get the help they need.