What If We Solved The Budget Deficit Through Cuts Alone?
Participants in this budget discussion website have asked for more information on what would happen to the budget if the Legisltaure solved the deficit only through cuts in spending.
Senate Fiscal Staff prepared the information below in order to show the amount of spending that would need to be cut if the deficit were solved by cutting every budget area proportionally. In order to cut $4.8 billion from the state general fund budget, every budget area would need to be cut by 13.65%. (The chart below only shows the general fund impact. Some budget areas receive funding from other sources, like federal funds or dedicated revenue such as the gas tax.)
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WHAT IF?: GENERAL FUND SPENDING By SENATE COMMITTEE |
Across-the-Board Share of $4.8 Billion |
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% Change to Base Budget FY 2010-2011 |
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Agriculture & Veterans |
-$23,985,000 |
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-13.65% |
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E-12 Education |
-$1,898,043,000 |
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-13.65% |
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Economic Development |
-$43,503,000 |
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-13.65% |
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Env., Energy and Natural Resources |
-$46,837,000 |
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-13.65% |
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Higher Education |
-$431,100,000 |
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-13.65% |
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Health and Human Services |
-$1,568,576,000 |
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-13.65% |
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Judiciary |
-$102,619,000 |
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-13.65% |
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Public Safety |
-$152,266,000 |
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-13.65% |
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State Government |
-$84,695,000 |
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-13.65% |
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Tax Aids & Credits |
-$466,750,000 |
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-13.65% |
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Transportation |
-$28,885,000 |
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-13.65% |
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Total Spending: |
-$4,847,259,000 |
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(Prepared by Senate Fiscal Staff) |
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This information is for discussion purposes only. You can use this information to help contextualize the size of the deficit.
