June 21, 2001
FOR RELEASE: IMMEDIATELY
Comptroller General Jim Lander expressed considerable concern over the state's lack of a budget for the next fiscal year. "We are already several days behind in being able to respond to a new budget," Lander said. "We have to set up all of the new accounts in order for the bills and employees to get paid. Each day that goes by without a budget means less time for that to be done."
Lander said that the state sets up over 7,000 accounts each year to handle the payment of state vouchers and must also load its computers to accurately pay over 55,000 employees at the new salary schedules. The fiscal year for the state begins on July 1 which leaves only seven workdays to complete the programming and loading of the information for a new budget.
In response to suggestions that the state could resort to an emergency budget or a continuing resolution, Lander remarked, "I don't think these will work because of our unique situation. We have less to spend next year than this year. We would be spending at too high a level and that would compound our problem."
Lander said, "There is the possibility that if an accord is not reached, services would be cut. I strongly urge the Governor, the Senate and the House to approve a budget immediately so that we don't have an adverse effect on medicare, law enforcement or other primary services."