Politics & Government
State Budget Proposes $22.9 Million Cut in K-12, $25 Million in Higher Ed
Kagi reports on continued cuts as shortfall to reach $5 billion
The following statement from Rep. Ruth Kagi (D-Lake Forest Park) of the 32nd District on the state budget was released recently:
"The vast majority of calls, e-mails and letters I receive are related to the state budget. Everything in the budget has support from somebody in the community and no one wants to see their service reduced or eliminated. Education, public safety, care for our elderly and sick, support for families and children’s services, job training and college financial aid – all of these are services people in our neighborhoods have contacted me about saving.
"Unfortunately, the deep recession that has plagued our entire nation still has Washington tight in its grip. And, unlike the federal government, the state must produce a balanced budget every year. Just since the end of the last legislative session, state revenues have dropped almost $2 billion, wiping out our reserves and forcing even deeper cuts in services and programs.
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"Although we are not required to have the budget in balance until June 30, the earlier we take some action, the more savings we’ll see. To that end, the House and Senate both approved a supplemental budget bill on Friday that closes the majority of the current shortfall."
In addition to the cuts made to the current budget last spring and again last December, this budget:
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• Cuts $22.9 million from K-12 education programs and $25 million from higher ed.
• Limits enrollment in the state Basic Health Plan to those eligible for federal matching funds.
•Continues the Apple Health for Kids plan for all children with family incomes up to 200% of the federal poverty level, and allows families with incomes between 200-300% of the FPL who are not eligible for federal matching funds to purchase the coverage, but at an increased cost.
•Maintains the Disability Lifeline for those unable to work because of a disability with a reduced grant.
There are lots more details available here (download in pdf format). This is not the end of the fiscal work for this session, however. Budget writers are already at work on the 2011-13 biennial budget which will have to address the $5 billion short fall that we face.