Gov. Brian Schweitzer Tuesday formally asked state agencies to submit plans to reduce agency budgets by 5%.
“We are running state government like a Montana small business and we are being proactive,” Schweitzer said in a news release. “It’s my job to look to the future and make sure we live within our means.”
State law gives the governor authority to reduce agency budgets up to 10% if reserves dip below a certain level. While that hasn’t happened yet, Schweitzer said he wants to get a jump on any problem that may develop.
“We are going to continue to hunt and peck to find savings and make reductions to maintain our financial position,” he said. “We are one of only two states not facing a budget shortfall and I aim to keep it that way.”
