Two executive orders trim current state spending by 4.4 million dollars. The orders come as the state faces a budget shortfall that is expected to reach more than 6 million dollars by July.
The first order extends the state hiring freeze, the prohibition on out if state travel, and bars the use of government consultants. The second mandates spending cuts for ten state agencies, including health and human services, education, economic development and revenue…… Governor Benson told lawmakers that the belt-tightening measures should not surprise the state officials charged with carrying them out.
"These are items that have been flushed out as a result of going back to the departments and looking for better ways to do things…..These particular items popped us as items that the departments had recommended as opportunities for savings."
The largest spending cut of $976,000 will be borne by the department of health and human services. That agency already faces 20 million dollars in cutbacks. But Commissioner John Stephen he can save the additional money through streamlining management and information systems.
"We see some difficult times ahead and we are going to be able to absorb these measures without, in my opinion, any harm to our provider community, and or community of those in need of services."
If Stephen remains upbeat…..Many committee members -- including some who voted to approve the cuts -- said they felt they had little choice but to support them.……Some confessed worry that cuts to tourism advertising and the revenue department might cost the state more money that such moves could save ….There was also near universal agreement that circumstances made it impossible to make a truly informed decision. House finance committee chairman Neal Kurk.
"We did not have enough time on this and I would have appreciated some more detail either in the order itself or in the back-up, but I hope that will improve."
Lawmakers also expressed hope that Governor's Benson's personal command of specific cuts would improve…..When asked for explanation that went beyond recapping the bottom line, Benson repeatedly sought the committees indulgence.
"We'll get that for you…..
"We will get you the exact numbers"
"Unless Commissioner Hill knows the details of the top of his head…..I would ask that we get you the detail"
"We will get you detail on the department of education."
Afterwards, democratic State senator Lou D'Allesandro said lawmakers and citizens alike deserve better.
"Governors should be prepared……You've asked every one of the department heads to bring you information, you should be able to give an iteration that clearly identifies where that money comes from how that money is being saved and what the ramifications are. Isn't that expected of the chief executive officer of any corporation and certainly of the state of nh?"
But lawmakers on both sides of the asile admit they are far less worried about the current orders than they are about what's likely to be coming in the future.
"This one was the easy one."
That's Senate Majority leader Bob Clegg. Clegg says he has faith that state agency heads knew what they were doing when they agreed to the current cutbacks…….Clegg said dealing with next years projected deficit will prove a far taller order.
"The next executive order to cover the fifty two million dollar shortfall is going to be the tough one….That's where there is going to be a lot of argument….and a lot of sentors are going to be looking at what is a critical program and what might not be."
While the Governor says more executive orders are in the works, he cannot issue an order mandating cuts in the 2005 budget until the new fiscal year begins in July.
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