Proposed Budget Includes Deep Education Cuts

State Budget Director Adam Horst presented a nearly $13.8 billion two year budget proposal from the Daniels administration to the state budget committee Thursday. State budget officials are calling the budget proposal a spending freeze as compared to what's been spent during the current two year budget. However, the state spent $3 billion less than was actually appropriated when revenues fell far short of projections. Sixthy-four percent of those cuts were to state agencies. Another 26% came from K through 12 education, and 10% of the budget cuts came from higher education, which could see an additional 9% cut in state funding from what they got in 2009. With Medicaid service expenses continuing to rise, the Daniels administration wants to eliminate some of those services; namely chiropractic care, hearing aids, dental care, and podiatry. Members of the House Ways and Means Committee plan to begin hearings on the budget next week.