The department has since extended the agencies' financing to run through August, but at sharply reduced levels.

But, this year, the department significantly reduced that amount, in some cases cutting it in half.

The department is also reducing hospital stays, trying to treat more patients in less costly outpatient clinics.

Since late 2004, he said, the department has already reduced premiums for drivers by about $500 million a year.

As a result, since 1996, the department has reduced caseloads for child protective workers from an average of 26 cases per worker to 11.

He also said the department would reduce the number of places where weapons fuel is stored.

The deductions vary by state but this year, with few exceptions, the department reduced the amounts, sometimes cutting them in half or more.

The department will also reduce the staffing of engines from five to four firefighters, saving $12 million.

The department has computerized much of its paper processing and introduced new, streamlined forms, reducing the number from 64 to 17.

The department also reduced its forecast for the Florida crop from 165 million boxes to 151 million.