Departments, agencies anticipate tough cuts
State workers may not face the prospect of losing their jobs as a result of lagging revenues, but agency leaders say making deeper budget cuts would still be tough to do.
“If you have patients, you have to feed them, clothe them, give them medicine,” said Glynn Kegley, director of the Bureau of Administration for the state Department of Mental Health.
“You still have to pay your light bill. You have to have a certain staffing level, or patient and employee safety is compromised.”
More cuts to the state budget are anticipated, particularly since September revenues were 10 percent below expectations.
Kevin Upchurch, director of the state Department of Finance and Administration, said, “It is too early to determine whether or not employee layoffs will be necessary. The impact of any future cuts may vary among agencies.
“However, now is the time for agency directors to look very closely at agency operations to find ways to save dollars.”
The Clarion-Ledger
Natalie Chandler
10/4/9
Magnolia Tribune
