Budget Cuts

Social services, higher education and public aid face the steepest cuts in a budget proposal sent to Governor Owens.

Thousands of residents face diminishing services and funding under the proposed $13.4 billion budget. But, Gov. Owens could still make changes to the proposal.

Lawmakers were forced to cut spending and make other changes to offset about $1.8 billion in revenue shortfalls since the 2001-2002 fiscal year.

Lawmakers from both parties say they did the best they could in distributing the money under three mandates that leave a large chunk it already spoken for.

Those measures include Amendment 23, which mandates how much spending goes toward education.