Let’s look at what it would take to solve the whole budget deficit through spending cuts. The $4.8 billion deficit amounts to 13% of general fund spending. If each area of the budget took a 13% hit from their FY 2010-11 base budget, the amount that lawmakers would have to cut would be:
- Education - $1.8 billion reduction
- Health & Human Services - $1.5 billion reduction
- Higher Education - $420 million reduction
- Public Safety - $246 million reduction
- Property Tax Aids & Credits - $451 million reduction (this area includes aids to cities and counties and property tax refunds)
- State Government - $82 million reduction
- Environment & Energy - $50 million reduction
- Economic Development - $38 million reduction
- Agriculture & Veterans - $34 million reduction
In the end, this deficit won’t be solved purely through spending cuts. Policymakers are sure to dig up some one-time revenues, find a few budget gimmicks and raise revenues one way or another. And budget areas will not take an equal hit - it’s likely that K-12 education and public safety will get some protection, which means other areas may take a bigger cut. However, hopefully seeing the potential size of these spending cuts will help people understand the need for some more revenues.
-Christina Wessel
