Governor's Office Takes First Step Toward Budget Cuts

HELENA – Gov. Brian Schweitzer’s office says the state budget is perilously close to a projected deficit, giving the governor the authority to start chopping agency spending.

Agencies on Friday were sending the governor’s office blueprints for cuts of up to 5 percent. Schweitzer says both he and his budget director will review them.

The governor says he is not sure how close to the 5 percent figure will actually be cut.

But Schweitzer says the state still has $324 million in the bank right now, even though the projected balance by the middle of 2011 is just $5 million.

The governor says he will start cutting now to make sure the state stays in the black.

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