$2.7 billion budget deficit forecasted

The nonpartisan Senate Ways and Means Committee staff have updated their six-year budget outlook to reflect the recent state revenue forecast. As expected the previous $2.5 billion deficit forecast has increased to $2.7 billion. Of particular note is the carry forward cost of the recent 2008 supplemental budget increase. Though projected to cost $209 million in the current budget, this new spending is forecasted to cost $609 million in the next budget. The paid family leave program is projected to cost an additional $72 million in 09-11 and $89 million in 11-13. Too bad for taxpayers our elected officials didn't take the opportunity to restrain spending this past session in light of a tight economy. Any guess how they'll try to fix this self-inflicted spending problem next year?