Keokuk, IA – Governor Chet Culver's proposed FY 10 budget for Iowa calls for a 6.5% cut to most departments.
State Representative Jerry Kearns says the heads of those agencies are telling lawmakers about potential furloughs, service cuts, and even lay-offs. The Keokuk Democrat says the impact can already be felt.
Keanrs says, unfortunately, the cuts could grow if revenue estimates drop next month. He says, "We are just crossing our fingers that it will not mean more than 6.5% because if we have another revenue estimate that is less... we are back in the cutting mode even more so."
Iowa is in line for $1.9 million through the federal economic stimulus package. Kearns says that could be a rainbow for the state if revenue totals continue to drop.
He says the state is developing its budget without taking into account the stimulus money.