Governor to announce cuts in address Monday
BOISE - Idahoan's eyes are focused on the legislature as they leave 2009 with a rough run behind their belts, looking to 2010 to clean things up.
Residents like Steven Lanzet plan to watch Governor Butch Otter speak, Monday.
"I'm expecting to hear how the governor is going to deal with a difficult situation where we have no money and we have to balance our budget," Lanzet said.
Others like Steve Scanlin, say they understand budget cuts are on the way but still hope they're minimal.
"I'm hoping that we may be able to find some other resources in the rainy day fund, in the millennium fund, in perhaps some of the tobacco settlement money to ease the blow," Scanlin said.
And that hit could be hard.
Gov. Otter says although it looks like the economy may be on the up and up, he sees red ink for 2010, requiring more hold backs and even a possibility of no growth in fiscal year 2011.
"We still can't spend more money than we have," Otter said.
So it's time again to slash the budget. The governor will release those cuts Monday morning, where Idahoans can tune in.
What's expected to be on the plate? Gov. Otter says it's public education.
"That's where half the money is," he said. If you're going to cut back on some budgets, you have to go where the money is."
Those effects could be seen as early as next year.
Tom Luna, State Superintendent, will attend the address and release a statement after. But without stimulus money for 2010, lawmakers say the cuts are unfortunate but necessary.
Monday, 2 News will stream Gov. Otter's state of the state address. It starts at 11 a.m. To see the speech, visit 2news.tv.
Residents like Steven Lanzet plan to watch Governor Butch Otter speak, Monday.
"I'm expecting to hear how the governor is going to deal with a difficult situation where we have no money and we have to balance our budget," Lanzet said.
Others like Steve Scanlin, say they understand budget cuts are on the way but still hope they're minimal.
"I'm hoping that we may be able to find some other resources in the rainy day fund, in the millennium fund, in perhaps some of the tobacco settlement money to ease the blow," Scanlin said.
And that hit could be hard.
Gov. Otter says although it looks like the economy may be on the up and up, he sees red ink for 2010, requiring more hold backs and even a possibility of no growth in fiscal year 2011.
"We still can't spend more money than we have," Otter said.
So it's time again to slash the budget. The governor will release those cuts Monday morning, where Idahoans can tune in.
What's expected to be on the plate? Gov. Otter says it's public education.
"That's where half the money is," he said. If you're going to cut back on some budgets, you have to go where the money is."
Those effects could be seen as early as next year.
Tom Luna, State Superintendent, will attend the address and release a statement after. But without stimulus money for 2010, lawmakers say the cuts are unfortunate but necessary.
Monday, 2 News will stream Gov. Otter's state of the state address. It starts at 11 a.m. To see the speech, visit 2news.tv.
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