TALLAHASSEE -- The Legislature passed a $66.5 billion state budget Friday, ending a session that was a week late and $6 billion short until the federal government, Florida taxpayers and gambling advocates came to the rescue.

In a subdued but fitting end to a grueling 10-week session, a sparse crowd of about 200 people saw the ceremonial dropping of two handkerchiefs that signifies sine die, or the session's end. Time: 2:57 p.m. Gov. Charlie Crist described lawmakers' work as ''unbelievable'' and ``tremendous.''

''It's important to take a little more time to get it right, and you got it right,'' Crist told the legislators gathered around him in the Capitol Rotunda.

Lawmakers balanced the budget with an infusion of $5 billion in federal stimulus money and $2.2 billion that was cobbled together through an expansive nickel-and-dime effort to raise scores of fees and taxes.

Lawmakers swept $600 million from specialized spending accounts known as trust funds and slashed another $1 billion in state spending -- making next year's budget $3 billion smaller than the current year's, which itself is fortified with $4 billion in stimulus money.

BAD NEWS AHEAD?

Although the budget carries cash reserves to prevent the state's credit rating from suffering, all the new money and spending cuts still might not be enough to keep things in balance if the economy continues to spiral downward.

The disastrous economy forced conservative Republicans to abandon their opposition to higher taxes and more gambling.

Motorists will pay more to renew driver's licenses and car registrations and get copies of accident reports, titles and ID cards. It's the biggest jump in vehicle fees in decades.

Smokers will pay $1 more for a pack of cigarettes, and state workers who earn more than $45,000 a year will get a 2 percent pay cut after three years of not getting a raise. Thousands of slot machines and card games at Indian reservations and existing gambling dens will fortify cash reserves for future emergencies.

''Given where we are, I think it's as good a budget as we could possibly have developed,'' said Sen. J.D. Alexander, the Lake Wales Republican who had a bigger role in shaping the budget than any other lawmaker. ``I believe in my heart of hearts it will keep our state functioning and moving forward through this most challenging time.''

On the budget, Republican legislators boasted about what they did not do: Cut public school budgets or eligibility for Medicaid, an exploding federal-state health program serving 2.6 million of the state's youngest, oldest and poorest. Federal rules for taking the stimulus prevented Tallahassee from cutting those programs.

The GOP majority did shift $780 million out of health care after plugging in Medicaid stimulus money, a move that Democratic Sen. Nan Rich of Weston called a ''bait and switch'' because tens of thousands of people will continue to languish on waiting lists for in-home care, community care and Alzheimer's treatment. ''Those people will be getting no basic services,'' Rich said.

The first extended regular session in seven years devolved into tense partisanship on its final day. All 14 Senate Democrats threatened to vote against a budget they called inadequate.

'SORRY' BUDGET

Sen. Eleanor Sobel, D-Hollywood, called the budget ''sorry'' and Sen. Frederica Wilson, D-Miami, infuriated GOP colleagues by saying: ``We have got to stand taller and fight the House. They seem to win every time.''

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