Florida’s new state budget isn’t even set to take effect until Sunday, but Governor Charlie Crist is already talking about making cuts.

Economic forecasts show Florida’s revenue is continuing to fall off, and a new study shows the effects of a post 9-11 world may be at least partly to blame.

The nation’s anti-terrorism policies may have cost Florida more than 50 billion dollars.

While just 6 percent of Florida’s visitors are from other countries, new research shows the dramatic drop-off in international tourism since 9-11 has cost Florida more than 50 billion dollars in spending and investment by foreign visitors and businesses.

Bud Nocera is the head of the state’s official marketing agency Visit Florida. He says visitors report a huge part of the problem is rude and confrontational treatment by airport and other border security agents.

“What’s happening is the people are getting turned off. They’re angered by their treatment and they’re going elsewhere.”

“The impact of 9/11 doesn’t stop with Florida’s tourism industry. Studies show Florida has lost 40-thousand international students at its colleges and universities over the past five and a half years, with a loss of more than a billion dollars.”

Suggestions include streamlining and simplifying the Visa application process without giving up important safeguards. And a key solution might also be one of the simplest and most cost-effective. Victoria Zepp with Florida TaxWatch says bureaucrats and security agents should give courtesy a try.

“It’s security – you see all the protocols - being nice is probably right down here, and what we’re saying is that can be an integral part of all that we do here in the US and the state of Florida.”

The cost of not being nice may be more than a tourist state like Florida can afford to pay.

Researchers at Florida TaxWatch say international visitors and businesses remain a critical component of the state’s economy.

TaxWatch estimates more than 300-thousand jobs in Florida and more than 91 billion dollars in goods and services were a direct result of money spent and invested here last year by foreign visitors.