Tuesday, June 16, 2009

Unallotment announced

Gov. Pawlenty today announced further cuts to state government and aid to local governments through the unallotment process in order to resolve the remaining $2.7 billion budget deficit. Many of the cuts will go into effect July 1, 2009, the beginning of the 2010 fiscal year, however many of the cuts will be made in the second year of the biennium due to interaction with the federal stimulus funds.

The governor unalloted a total of $100 million to higher education in 2011, the second year of the biennium. The Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system and the University of Minnesota received a cut of $50 million each.

The governor did not make across-the-board cuts and left K-12 education, public safety, corrections, the national guard, veterans affairs and nursing homes unharmed. Here is a summary of the cuts:

• $300 million Reduction of local aids and credits
• $67 million Reduction of refunds and other payments
• $236 million Reduction in human services spending
• $100 million Reduction in higher education appropriations
• $33 million Reduction in most state agency operating budgets
• $1.77 billion K-12 payment deferrals and adjustments
• $169 million Administrative actions

Details of the proposed unallotments may be found here.

The letter to Gov. Pawlenty regarding unallotments can be found here.

The unallotments are recommendations, and are not considered final. The governor and his administration will follow the process of consulting with legislative leaders for their input and reaction. On Thursday at 3:00, the Legislative Advisory Commission will hold a hearing to hear from Commissioner Tom Hanson with Minnesota Management and Budget on the unallotments. By law, the governor's administration has to consult with legislative leaders, but he does not need legislative approval.

Thursday, June 18
3:00 PM
Legislative Adivsory Commission
Room: 15 State Capitol
Chairs: Speaker Margaret Anderson Kelliher, Sen. Larry Pogemiller
Agenda: Consultation on unallotment as required by state statute.