Wednesday, September 9, 2009

Sit down for this

You might want to make sure you are sitting down when you read this. The budget is still $1B off.

While last weeks budget moves improved the financial situation the state faces, there are still major issues to fix. $500 million is still left over from the last fiscal year (the one Napolitano was Governor for half of). $464 million is the shortfall for this year of which $360 million is vetoed cuts to education.

All sorts of problems remain to be fixed for 2010 and there are still state agencies that may just run out of money if the budget isn't fixed. There will definitely be a special session, the question now is when since the session more than likely will include another attempt at increasing revenue.

I sit here worried because it's September and we can't even fix the state budget that is 2 months old. The budget next year is even worse. We are quickly driving towards that cliff and it feels like everyone is looking at the speedometer and not out the front window.

1 comment:

Thane Eichenauer said...

"..more than likely will include another attempt at increasing revenue." (e.g. taxes)

I wonder how many failed suggestions for higher taxes will occur before the legislature starts looking at asset (land) sales or spending reductions (such as reducing the prison count).