During his last of eight years in the Florida House of Representatives, David Rivera faces what he calls an “awesome challenge.” Heading into next fiscal year, the state projects a $3 billion budget gap – and Mr. Rivera is the House budget chair. As head of the Appropriations Committee, he aims to lead a process focusing not on creating new revenue, but on cutting fat. “Families are struggling, businesses are struggling and I want to make sure that Florida’s budget reflects the same priorities that everyone else has to live by,” Mr. Rivera says. Locally, he’s looking out for institutions such as Jackson Health System and Florida International University. Statewide, he aims to focus on bolstering education, stamping out Medicaid fraud and boosting the floundering economy by supporting property and business owners. Key, he said, is “making sure we have an economic environment that welcomes entrepreneurship and new businesses – a low tax environment, a low regulatory environment.” Mr. Rivera talked budget strategies and legislative priorities in an interview in his local office with Miami Today staff writer Risa Polansky.