Governor Perdue slashes budget

Governor Sonny Perdue is tightening the belt on State Government spending because of slowing growth in Georgia’s economy.

In February, state revenue grew only a half percentage point over last year’s figure. That’s not enough to meet the budget prediction for the rest of this and the next fiscal year.

In all, Perdue is estimating a shortfall of 310 million dollars through next summer.

"We see the economic clouds over the nation and I ‘m committed not to wait too long by tightening our belts."

Perdue’s bleak outlook comes in the midst of the legislative budget process. He wants to cut some new programs and is proposing that state employee and teachers raises be cut from 2 and half to 2 percent.

Perdue is ordering state agencies to cut out all non essential spending.

Georgia does have a record 1.5 billon dollar rainy day fund and Perdue says he’ll use it if necessary.