DENVER (AP) -- The governor's budget director says lawmakers will likely have to cut $400 million to $500 million next year as the state continues to try to dig out of the economic downturn.
Henry Sobanet told lawmakers Tuesday that they'll face another difficult budget cycle because the state's revenue is not keeping up with increased demand for services like health care, education and public safety. A separate report from legislative economists warned that "chances of a recession are rising" nationally as households and business continue to be unsure about the weak economy.
Sobanet's office estimates that Colorado's general fund revenue will grow by about $57.8 million in the current year. That would be a 0.8 percent increase from last year.
Colorado lawmakers adopted a budget this spring to close a shortfall that hovered near a half-billion.
(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
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