Wednesday, November 5, 2008

Budget cuts at the state

Governor addresses cuts

By Sophia Spencer

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Will 3% be the solution?

Three percent may not sound like much, but when it's the amount being cut from the state budget, it comes out to $60 million in cuts.

Three percent may not sound like much, but when it's the amount being cut from the state budget, it comes out to $60 million in cuts.

But the Governor said there are two areas that she wants protected.

Property taxes from homes and sales taxes from consumers are all dwindling in a shaky economy. Now the state is feeling the crunch.

Governor Sebelius explained, "We've already begun hiring freezes, stopped capital purchases, and been making other changes."

But the governor says education will be protected and she's asking for help from all state departments

"Even in the Department of Education, there are expenditures that the state board makes that aren't directly related to school finance. They will be asked to look for any possible ways to cut overhead costs," Sebelius said.

So far, she isn't looking at a tax increase, but will look at a cigarette tax.

"Because it does discourage smoking and produce a revenue stream," she said.

And for those folks concerned gas prices will again go up, she says she won't add a gasoline tax.

The 2010 budget will be slashed by 5 percent.

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