Now the real budget work begins

Today's state revenue forecast shows the state is even more at the mercy of Congress than before to approve a state budget bailout as well as facing at least a $3 billion budget gap for 2011-13. Though revenues are projected to increase in 2011-13, they are down $203 million for this biennium. This means the state's new ending fund balance of $253 million is less than the $480 million in one-time federal Medicaid funds assumed to help balance the budget . . . READ MORE