GOP Leaders Say Real Budget Work Lies Ahead

“The governor’s curtailment order contains no real surprises, though it is more modest than expected." Read More...

House and Senate Republican Office

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 20, 2009                                                         

GOP Leaders Respond to Governor’s Curtailment Order
Say Real Budget Work Lies Ahead

AUGUSTA – Senate Republican leaders are calling Governor Baldacci’s curtailment order a cautious first step in what is sure to be a long journey to a re-balanced state budget. In the order, released earlier today, the governor has curtailed state spending by $63.1 million, effective immediately.

“The governor’s curtailment order contains no real surprises, though it is more modest than expected. It’s clear that the real work lies ahead, as we must close an ever-widening gap that could surpass $400 million during the remainder of the biennial budget,” said Senate Republican Leader Kevin Raye (R-Perry). “These are difficult times that will require difficult choices to bring spending down to a level that Maine’s struggling taxpayers can afford.”

House Republican Leader Josh Tardy (R-Newport) agreed. “We were surprised that the curtailment is not larger, but we understand that the governor is constrained in terms of what he can and cannot do with a curtailment,” he said. “The greatest portion of the governor’s cuts will come in the supplemental budget, which will require legislative approval.”

Both Tardy and Raye expressed their hopes that the Legislature will work in a bipartisan fashion to address the upcoming supplemental budget, noting that Maine Republicans will push for long-term structural reforms in state government spending, while working to preserve the safety net for our most vulnerable citizens.  

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