Budgets

Considers possible January special session depending on new revenue estimates

November 17, 2009 -- Oklahoma City - Responding to continued uncertainty in state fiscal forecasts and the growing impact of across-the-board budget cuts, Oklahoma Governor Brad Henry today outlined a three-point plan to address the state’s budget challenges.

Its components include an updated, more reliable state revenue estimate, a series of public hearings on budget reductions and a possible special session of the Oklahoma Legislature to utilize reserve funds and implement targeted cuts to balance the budget.    » read more »

11/16/2009 -- Tennessee Governor Bredesen today began his eighth round of open budget hearings. Upon taking office in January 2003, Bredesen made a commitment to open the budget process to give Tennesseans full view of how their tax dollars fund state government.

"I'm proud to have started the tradition of open hearings here in Tennessee and hope we will continue to serve as an example of open government," said Bredesen. "Tennessee taxpayers have a right to see how their money is being spent, and these discussions are a big part of that process. That becomes especially important in tough times like these when every dollar counts."

As he opened hearings for the FY 2010-2011 budget, Bredesen warned this will be a very difficult year in the face of serious economic challenges.    » read more »

November 16, 2009 -- Harrisburg – Pennsylvania Secretary of Administration Naomi Wyatt today provided details on how the state’s workforce will be further reduced due to budget cuts. The administration will begin furloughing 319 employees today.

“It is with deep and sincere regret that we announce these furloughs. This administration has been cutting costs and improving efficiency since 2003, but the sharp decline in state revenues left us with no other options,” Wyatt said. “While it was originally thought that up to 1,000 furloughs might be needed, the Governor was able to preserve as many jobs as possible by working to maintain spending at $27.8 billion and developing creative cost savings solutions.”    » read more »

Shrinking revenues call for transformative government, cautious spending

November 16, 2009 -- Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour today proposed a 12 percent budget reduction for most state agencies and called for the merger of some state agencies, universities and school districts in his Executive Budget Recommendation for Fiscal Year 2011.

The $5.5 billion state budget includes $370 million in stimulus funds that will cease after the coming fiscal year, which begins July 1. Governor Barbour is required by state law to submit a budget to the Legislature.    » read more »

November 16, 2009 -- Rhode Island Governor Donald L. Carcieri recently issued the following statement regarding the Revenue Estimating Conference’s revised revenue projections for the current fiscal year. The Revenue Estimating Conference projected revenue shortfall for the current fiscal year is $130.5 million.

“The revenue forecast is poor,” said Governor Carcieri “It is clearer than ever, Rhode Island is still in the throes of an economic recession. Unfortunately, this is not a surprise, as we have continued to see the economy worsen and revenues decline.”    » read more »

November 13, 2009

(BOISE) – Idaho Governor C.L. “Butch” Otter launched a new Web site today on which Idaho citizens can easily view details of the State budget and provide their insights and perspectives on how to make State government more efficient by using taxpayers’ money more wisely.

The site, http://efficiency.idaho.gov/, is part of Governor Otter’s plan for involving all Idahoans in the process of addressing the State’s budget shortfall. He announced the outreach plan in late September as he ordered a tiered holdback of State spending totaling about 4 percent of the General Fund appropriation for fiscal 2010.    » read more »

Addresses Backlog of Deferred Maintenance Projects

November 12, 2009, Anchorage, Alaska – Alaska Governor Parnell today committed to creating construction jobs across the state by addressing the backlog of deferred maintenance projects for state-owned facilities.

“I will do what it takes to maximize construction opportunities in Alaska to put Alaskans to work,” Governor Parnell said. “Deferred maintenance funding is necessary to preserve the state’s significant investment in infrastructure and will mean Alaska’s construction industry will have jobs it can depend on, each and every year.”    » read more »

Calls for Creation of Commission to Curb Debt

November 10, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Joe Lieberman (ID-CT) testified today before a Senate Budget Committee hearing on Bipartisan Process Proposals for Long-Term Fiscal Stability.

Below is the full text of his remarks, as prepared for delivery:

"Mr. Chairman and Ranking Member Gregg, thank you for holding this hearing on a matter of utmost importance to our nation and its future. Now more than ever, we must come to terms with the potentially crippling amount of debt on our nation's books.    » read more »

Testifying as former Indiana governor who had to balance books, Bayh leads “institutional insurrection” before Senate Budget Committee

November 10, 2009 -- Washington – In testimony before the Senate Budget Committee today, Senator Evan Bayh (D-IN) said he would not vote to raise the federal debt limit unless Congress commits to a strict new process to rein in America’s record $12 trillion national debt.

“Who would have thought that the Budget Committee would be the site for the beginning of an institutional insurrection, but here we are,” Bayh testified before the committee. “Many of us count ourselves as pragmatists not idealists, moderates not extremists. Yet here we are, asking for a change in the way business is done in Washington.”    » read more »

November 09, 2009 -- DES MOINES—The State of Iowa and AFSCME/Iowa Council 61 have reached an Understanding to protect 479 AFSCME state jobs that are targeted for layoffs pursuant to Governor Chet Culver’s 10 percent across the board budget cuts mandated by Executive Order 19. The 479 positions include front line correctional officers, parole probation officers and other support positions that help to provide for our public safety.

This Understanding between the State of Iowa, Executive Branch and AFSCME/Iowa Council 61 leadership will now be presented to the entire AFSCME membership for approval. The terms of the agreement will not be implemented unless and until approved by a majority vote of the membership.

This Understanding involves the following:    » read more »

INDIANAPOLIS -- November 6, 2009 -- Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels today initiated state agency spending reductions following the fourth straight month of lower than forecast state revenues for Fiscal Year 2010.

For October, revenue collections were again below the May 2009 forecast. Total tax collections were $46 million below the forecast amount for the month. For the first four months of the fiscal year, general fund revenues are $309 million or 7.4 percent below forecast.    » read more »

Nov. 6, 2009 -- Calling for shared sacrifice, Colorado Governor Bill Ritter today submitted a $7.1 billion FY10-11 General Fund budget proposal to the legislature's Joint Budget Committee, closing a $1 billion shortfall that holds down spending to reflect weak revenue.

"While we've already closed unprecedented shortfalls, the budget I'm submitting today is our most challenging yet," Gov. Ritter said. "I'm continuing to make tough choices from very limited options -- even while the demand for many services is skyrocketing.    » read more »

Calls For No New Spending in Lame Duck

November 5, 2009 -- TRENTON - New Jersey Governor Jon S. Corzine today outlined several measures needed to maintain balance in the FY 2010 budget and fulfill his commitment to maintain a balanced budget through his remaining two months in office.

"My administration will continue to live up to our responsibility to maintain a fiscally balanced budget during the next two months," Governor Corzine said. "These cuts will be tough but necessary choices that need to be addressed now. Ignoring these issues over the next two months will not make them go away and will only hurt the people of New Jersey. I will not allow politics to stand in the way of doing what is right."    » read more »

Moody’s, Fitch, S&P affirm Commonwealth’s ‘AA’ credit rating with stable outlook following Governor’s FY10 budget solutions

BOSTON – Thursday, November 05, 2009 – Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick today announced that the Commonwealth's bond ratings have been affirmed by the three major rating agencies, all of whom cited the Governor’s responsible and proactive stewardship of the Commonwealth’s finances during the current economic downturn as a leading credit strength.

Fitch Ratings, Moody's Investor Services and Standard & Poor's all affirmed the Commonwealth's credit ratings at AA, Aa2, and AA with a stable outlook.    » read more »

November 5, 2009 -- NEWARK – Delaware’s one-time tax amnesty program is anticipated to net more than $22 million for the state, Delaware Governor Jack Markell announced Thursday.

The two-month long partnership between the Delaware Division of Revenue and the General Revenue Corporation, a subsidiary of Sallie Mae Corporation, is expected to clear more than 14,000 delinquent accounts. When the program was authorized this summer, estimates called for $10 million to be collected.

“During these challenging times, it is certainly good news that Delaware will have additional funds to help government meet its core commitments, like teachers in the classroom, police on the street and care for our most vulnerable citizens,” Markell said.    » read more »