Legislature Takes Up Governor’s Change Package

May 1, 2009

AUGUSTA– In response to a $569 million downward revision in state revenue, Governor John Baldacci today outlined the details of his change package designed to balance the budgets for fiscal years 2010 and 2011, as well as close a $129 million shortfall for the remainder of fiscal year 2009.

On April 28, 2009 the Maine Revenue Forecasting Committee announced that the global recession will further reduce revenue to the state of Maine by $440 million in fiscal years 2010 and 2011. Overall, state revenues have fallen by more than $1.4 billion since November.

“There is no denying that the cuts necessary to balance the budget will be felt across our state,” said President Mitchell. “The Legislature will review this proposal and assess the impact of each cut on the people of Maine. While there is not much in here that anyone will like, we are committed working in a bipartisan way to balance the budget in a way that does not harm the long term economic health of our state or the vulnerable people who rely on state services the most.”

“These will not be easy decisions, but they reflect the magnitude of the economic challenges our state and our country are facing,” said Speaker Pingree. “We have some very tough choices to make in a very short amount of time. Democratic and Republican leadership and the members of the Appropriations Committee have been working well together to this point and we’ll continue to move forward on this effort together.”

With the end of the 2009 fiscal year approaching, the Legislature will work through the weekend to review the details of the Governor’s proposal.

For more details on the Governor’s budget proposal go to:

http://www.maine.gov/governor/baldacci/policy/finances.html

#