State Revenue Numbers Continue Tumble

The state’s revenue numbers continue to struggle. The Governor’s office says collections for May were down more than $200 million, or 14.4%, from the same month a year ago. Bert Brantley is spokesman for Governor Perdue:

"It’s all relative...14.4% down is better than 20% down, but it’s not as good as 0% down or even an increase. This is the reason why we’ve had to cut spending...this is the reason why we’ve had additional cuts even since the Legislature has come in."

For the fiscal year set to end June 30th, collections are down 10-percent. Because of that, the state’s reserves are being tapped to make up the difference.

Meanwhile, state agencies remain under an order from Perdue to cut spending this month by 25% in order to meet a balanced budget.

Latest Revenue Numbers Won't Prompt Special Session--Yet

Governor Sonny Perdue’s office says state lawmakers are "willing and able" to come back for a special session, should the economic downturn extend beyond what’s been projected.

Georgia revenue numbers released this week show collections in March fell more than 14-percent, or $167 million, compared to the same month a year ago.

But Perdue spokesman Bert Brantley says the key factor in determining whether a special session might be called is the current fiscal year statistic. For that, the state is down about 8-percent:

"For the 2009 and the 2010 budget, we passed them assuming tough times. So just the revenues dipping themselves, won’t require that(a special session)."

Brantley does say a prolonged downturn into the next fiscal year beginning July 1st, could prompt serious consideration of a special session.