Statement about State Budget from Senate President Pro Tem Glenn Coffee

“The Senate’s review of agency budgets by the appropriations subcommittees is already well underway. We will have the information from these hearings ready in time for a discussion with the Governor preceding a January special session.

“With the state looking at the possibility of a shortfall of up to a billion dollars, it is a high probability that agencies will face deeper cuts, even if a portion of the Rainy Day Fund is accessed in a special session.

“It is important for this Governor and this Legislature to step up, work together and make the tough decisions needed to get the state through this budget year and the next. We have a moral obligation to address this situation now. We can’t kick the can down the road to the next Governor and Legislature.”