Minner Releases $4B Budgets

Gov. Ruth Ann Minner on Thursday released her recommended fiscal 2009 operating and capital budgets, totaling $3.9 billion.

“We are facing many challenges this year, such as rising energy costs, a tightening credit environment, the weakening national housing and job markets, and continued increases in the demand for state services,” Minner said. “We are facing an uncertain economic climate and a very tight budget year.”

She said her budget would hold spending growth to less than 4%.

The proposed operating budget totals $3.41 billion, while the capital budget is $473.3 million. The capital budget, or bond bill, recommends $239.6 million of bonds for public education and agency projects and $233.7 million for the state Department of Transportation’s capital program.

The budget and bond bill proposals will go to the General Assembly for deliberation and passage by June 30.

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