Legislative Leaders Vow Thorough Review of Governor’s Budget Request

January 9, 2009

AUGUSTA– The Governor’s proposal to balance the state budget was delivered to the Legislature on Friday. While the details of the two-year, $6.1 billion spending plan are still being examined, President of the Senate Libby Mitchell and Speaker of the House Hannah Pingree are committing to an open and transparent review of the Governor’s proposed cuts in the coming weeks and months.

“The Legislature, along with the public, will carefully review the Governor’s proposal and scrutinize each line of state spending to craft a budget that balances the books, protects the most vulnerable and invests in areas that create opportunity for Maine people,” President Mitchell said. “These are not ordinary times. Spending cuts of this magnitude will require all stakeholders to commit to a new way of doing business; one that focuses on shared responsibility and shared sacrifice.”

“From what I have seen so far, it appears that the cuts are across the board,” said Speaker Pingree. “However, there will be many difficult choices that will have to me made. I am hopeful that through an open public hearing and work session process we will be examining every line to ensure it is equitable to the people of Maine.”

The presentation of the budget document for fiscal years 20101/2011 comes amid legislative hearings on a supplemental budget aimed at reducing spending in the current fiscal year. Legislative leaders are committed to finishing the supplemental budget by the end of January and beginning public hearings on the two-year budget bill in early February.

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