Some Idaho entities resist budget cutbacks | Idaho Legislature | Idaho Statesman

Several agencies have told legislative budget writers that they cannot sustain additional cuts without jeopardizing their constitutional and statutory obligations.

Agencies were asked to provide information on possible reductions of up to 5 percent on top of Gov. Butch Otter’s $35 million in recommended cuts in anticipation of a potential $185 million shortfall.

The hole won’t be that big, as the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee set a 2012 budget figure that includes $92 million in cuts.

But rather than an across-the-board cut to state agencies, the committee plans to trim on an agency by agency basis.

“The constitutional obligation is the big issue for every budget that we look at and for any further cutting that we have to do,” said Rep. Maxine Bell, R-Jerome. “We’ll be as flexible and stay as close to the bottom of the scale as we possible can. At the end of the day that budget has to be balanced.” [...]

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Brian Murphy: 377-6444

Full article, including excerpts of letters from several agencies, at idahostatesman.com

 

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