Budgets

October 7, 2009 -- DES MOINES – During a press availability at the State Capitol, Iowa Governor Chet Culver spoke with reporters regarding today’s Revenue Estimating Conference report, which projected an 8.4% decline in revenue. The following is a transcript of the Governor’s statement.

“The unanimous decision by the Revenue Estimating Conference today confirms my belief that the national economic recession continues to have a significant negative effect on our state’s economy. This great recession was caused by bad policies in Washington D.C., and bad practices on Wall Street.

“Today’s REC figures are a stark reminder of the impact this recession is having on our state, and on every state across the nation.

“Let’s review the status of Iowa’s budget:    » read more »

Bond agencies praise state’s responsible management of taxpayer dollars

October 07, 2009 -- Dover – The country's three major bond-rating agencies have affirmed Delaware's triple-A ratings based, in part, on the state's strong fiscal management practices.

“Delaware is being rewarded for the fiscal discipline exercised during these challenging times,” Gov. Markell said. "Members of the General Assembly and this administration made the tough choices to responsibly solve last year's historic budget challenge and those decisions are paying off now. We will still face significant challenges in the upcoming budget, and it is important we work together in a bipartisan way and exercise the same discipline as we address Delaware's financial future."    » read more »

Oct. 7, 2009 -- Many Colorado state government offices will be closed Friday, Oct. 9, 2009, the second of four closure days in 2009, to help keep the state budget balanced during the economic recession. State offices also will be closed Monday in observance of Columbus Day.

State driver's license offices, the Department of Public Health and Environment's vital records office, state history museums, and administrative offices for executive branch departments will be among the facilities closed Friday, with about 15,500 employees on unpaid furlough.    » read more »

October 1, 2009 -- "As we now know, September tax collections fell short of estimates by more than $44.9 million, or 10.16 percent; for the first three months of Fiscal Year 2010, total collections are $83.2 million, or 7.68 percent, below estimates.

"By comparison, total collections for July to September 2009 are $128 million less than collections for July to September 2008. This amounts to an approximately 12 percent decline from last year. And, this number includes $23 million more in tobacco tax revenue year to date in FY 2010.    » read more »

October 2, 2009 -- LANSING - In this week's radio address, Michigan Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today said while a government shutdown on Thursday was averted, much work remains to be done on the state budget.

"The constitutional deadline for having a budget at the start of the new fiscal year was met, but the work on this budget is far from over," Granholm said. "For while Michigan's constitution simply demands a balanced budget, Michigan's future demands more."    » read more »

Process to identify potential solutions already underway, will update FY’10 revenue estimates by October 15th

BOSTON – Friday, October 2, 2009 – Responding to a Department of Revenue (DOR) report that September state revenue collections fell $243 million below budget estimates, Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick today announced that his cabinet has already begun to identify potential emergency cuts to the Fiscal Year 2010 budget and will begin the process of adjusting tax revenue estimates for the remainder of the fiscal year. Year-to-date revenues are $212 million below benchmark.    » read more »

ANNAPOLIS, MD (September 17, 2009) – Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley released this statement today following the release of revised budget projections from the Board of Revenue Estimates.

“Today, once again the Board of Revenue Estimates revised its prior budget estimates downward to reflect ongoing challenges due to the national economy. Each time the BRE has revised its estimates downward, we have acted quickly and responsibly to cut state spending.    » read more »

Calls for $1 billion in cuts; says legislators, other constitutionals must share sacrifice

CHICAGO – July 7, 2009 -- Illinois Governor Pat Quinn today vetoed House Bill 2145 saying the General Assembly’s bill fails to make any significant cuts in state operations. Instead, the Governor proposed passing a responsible “Tough Choices” budget, which calls for cutting an additional $1 billion in state costs.

“I am vetoing this bill in its entirety because it favors preserving the government status quo and fails to make the necessary cuts and reductions in state government operations,” said Governor Quinn. “It does not reflect the spirit of shared sacrifice that must prevail throughout our state government, particularly during these harsh economic times.”    » read more »

Cites "major flaws"

June 1, 2009 -- Rhode Island Governor Donald L. Carcieri today transmitted, with signature, the FY 2010 budget, citing he had no other choice with more than $200 million at stake.

In a letter to Speaker William H, Murphy, Governor Donald L. Carcieri voiced his disappointment with the budget stating, “My signing this budget is not an endorsement of it in its entirety. I had intended to allow this budget to become law without my signature, however it was delivered to my office too late to do so. I am signing for this reason: over forty million dollars of state funding, plus hundreds of millions in Federal FMAP funds are at risk if the budget does not become law before July 1st.”    » read more »

Budget spends less from state tax revenues than current budget; protects essential services without a new major tax

June 30, 2009 -- CONCORD - New Hampshire Governor John Lynch today signed the state’s two-year operating budget and capital budget into law.

“This is a responsible, balanced budget that reduces general fund spending, protects essential services, without an income tax, a sales tax or an increase in the gas tax, but by closing tax loopholes,” Gov. Lynch said.    » read more »

Education, medicaid funded, but cautionary note sounded for future

July 1, 2009 -- The Fiscal Year 2010 budget adopted in a Special Session of the Mississippi Legislature reflects many of the priorities and conservative principles outlined by Governor Haley Barbour when he summoned lawmakers back to Jackson.

“While not all issues are resolved, overall this is a prudent, balanced budget that I believe will serve the state’s taxpayers, agencies and their constituents well for the next fiscal year. I am especially pleased the Legislature accepted my proposal to carry forward $60 million from the Health Care Expendable Fund as a cushion against the revenue shortfalls that are expected next year,” Governor Barbour said.    » read more »

On-time balanced budget includes $147 million in line-item vetoes to help protect investments in Education, Health Care, Life Sciences

BOSTON – Monday, June 29, 2009 – Amid the worst global economic decline since the Great Depression, Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick today signed into law a $27.046 billion budget for Fiscal Year 2010 that preserves the Patrick-Murray Administration’s commitment to education and health care, and makes targeted investments in workforce training, life sciences and other key areas that will strengthen the Commonwealth’s economic foundation as it emerges from the downturn.    » read more »

Continues fiscal state spending restraints

July 1, 2009 -- AUGUSTA – Maine Governor John E. Baldacci today signed a Special Budget and Expenditure Order at the beginning of the State’s Fiscal 2010-2011 cycle. The Governor has signed similar orders since 2003. This directive places a hiring freeze on vacant positions and limits overtime, travel and other expenses. The order allows for emergency exceptions.

“My Administration has been committed to restructuring government and reducing administration at all levels and in all areas,” said Governor Baldacci. “This order is just one tool to keep in place critical measures to ensure Maine State Government operates efficiently and effectively.”

A copy of the order follows:

01 FY 10/11

July 1, 2009    » read more »

Responsibly closes historic shortfall; lauds passage of administration’s education and energy reforms

July 01, 2009 -- DOVER – Delaware Governor Jack Markell on Wednesday morning made the following remarks after he signed the fiscal 2010 operating budget into law at the close of the 2009 General Assembly session. The operating budget, for the first time in years, is significantly smaller than the 2009 spending plan. Markell also signed the FY 2010 Bond Bill and Grant-in-Aid budget.

In addition to addressing the historic $800 million shortfall, Markell and the General Assembly worked to pass historic equal-rights and open-government legislation, as well as significant education and energy reforms as well other legislation that will move Delaware forward.    » read more »

California Governor Schwarzenegger declares state of emergency due to budget impasse; calls legislature into Prop 58 special session, issues executive order to impose three furloughs per month

07/01/2009 -- Following the legislature’s inability to pass a comprehensive solution to solve California’s entire $24.3 billion deficit, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today proclaimed a fiscal emergency and called a Proposition 58 legislative special session to address this emergency. Additionally, the Governor exercised his executive authority to save cash for vital state functions and services by ordering three furlough days every month.    » read more »