TALLAHASSEE -- Florida lawmakers continued to meet Tuesday in the special budget-cutting session, but they will take no budget action.

Instead, their focus will be on hearing reports on how to stimulate the state economy, getting updates on the state deal to buy U.S. Sugar land for Everglades restoration and hearing the attorney general weigh in on an Indian gambling compact.

The day of meetings comes at the conclusion of the two-week budget session to give them time to digest the $65 billion budget package. Legislative negotiators have signed off on $2.4 billion in cuts to offset declines in revenues. They have $1.2 billion in program cuts to sort through and the $1.6 billion stripped from special savings and trust fund accounts.

State law requires legislators to wait 72 hours from the time they receive the final budget package, which was Sunday evening, until the time they vote. After their review, however, they can't change the budget bill.

A vote of the full House and Senate is expected on Wednesday, at which time the session is expected to adjourn two days early.

Mary Ellen Klas can be reached at meklas@MiamiHerald.com

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