2011 Supplemental Budget: Governor proposes to expedite many reductions included in 2011-13 budget
On Wednesday we highlighted some of the most drastic cuts included in the Governor’s 2011-13 budget proposal. Today we learned that many of those reductions are scheduled to go into effect in the next six months.
They include:
- Elimination of health coverage to thousands of low- and middle- income people through the Basic Health plan;
- Elimination of cash and medical assistance to people with low-incomes who cannot work due to a disability (Disability Lifeline);
- Elimination of Apple Health for Kids health benefits for 27,000 children;
- Elimination of food benefits for low-income legal immigrants;
- Elimination of additional state funds for K-4 class size reduction efforts.
The Governor’s 2011 Supplemental budget addresses the remainder of a $1.1 billion shortfall for the current biennium. The Legislature addressed about half of the shortfall when they met last Saturday to pass an early-action budget bill.
In addition to the 2011 Supplemental proposal, the Governor outlined her plan to reduce spending in the WorkFirst program by an additional $50 million in the current fiscal year. Cuts include reducing cash grants to families receiving Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) by 15 percent and limiting access and eligibility for child care. Most of the reductions are intended to be carried forward into the 2011-13 biennium.
