Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley last week ordered 15% cuts in the state’s general fund budget for the remainder of fiscal 2011, which ends Sept. 30.
Bentley issued the order for across-the-board budget cuts, known as proration, after signing a bill that provides supplemental appropriations for certain health and public safety agencies as well as the Ethics Commission.
“In order to balance the budget, I have no choice but to declare 15% proration of the general fund budget,” according to Bentley, a Republican. “For some time we have anticipated the need to do this, and now that we have protected certain agencies from budget cuts, we must take this action.”
The state is facing more than a $100 million shortfall in the general fund, which is one of two budgets that comprise the state’s overall budget.
The Education Trust Fund is the second component of the Alabama budget, which the governor cut by 3% at the end of February.
Alabama’s constitution prohibits deficit spending so when state revenue falls below appropriations, the governor must reduce the budget.
