By Jessica Palombo - Florida Public Radio
Millions of Floridians could see a significant drop in benefits and pay more money for services they already receive under the budget proposals from the Republican ticket. That was the message Wednesday from a progressive advocacy group that released a report titled, "The Real Cost of the Romney-Ryan Budget to Floridians."
The Center for American Progress Action Fund CEO Tom Perriello spoke in Tallahassee on Wednesday about the ramifications of the budget proposal.
"By talking about capping federal spending and a certain percent, 20 percent of GDP, if you keep Social Security constant and you increase defense, everything else has to be cut by an average of 40 percent," he said.
Perriello said cuts could reduce Medicaid, transportation and veterans' benefits.
He was critical of the Romney plan for proposed tax breaks for the wealthy, repealing the Affordable Care Act and implementing a voucher system for new Medicare enrollees. Changes to those existing benefits could add up to higher costs for Florida retirees and the middle class.
Romney has said his plan would balance the federal budget and create 12 million jobs over the next four years.
George Pappas edited this story online.