State Budget

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Although it's not clear whether the exercise will lead to any successful end, Senate President Pro Tem Don Perata said Wednesday that he has ordered that a first vote on a budget will take place early next week.

Whether or not Perata (D-Oakland) and the rest of the state's Democratic state lawmakers will be able to wrestle an actual budget from the effort remains to be seen. To date, the budget has been horribly deadlocked and is 23 days overdue.

Granted, it’s little. Given all the budget woes the state went through this year, however, a small budget surplus was something for Gov. John Baldacci to brag about Monday.

According to a release from Baldacci’s office, the state finished the 2008 fiscal year with a General Fund surplus of $56 million, and a Highway Fund surplus of $2.5 million.

Of the General Fund surplus, $47.4 million was surplus revenue, $7.1 million resulted from lapsed account balances, and $1.5 million came from other adjustments.

“The year-end surplus is the result of a disciplined budget approach,” Governor John E. Baldacci said. “Maine faced a grim economic picture earlier this year that required the State to make many difficult decisions. That hard work has allowed us to finish the year in a good position. Unfortunately, high energy prices and a still-struggling national economy could further erode revenues in the next fiscal year.”

So it's established that the budget will not be in place in time for the new fiscal year that starts tomorrow, but it'll be almost two days in before the House and Senate come to an agreement. The latest word is that the conference report will come to a vote on Wednesday afternoon.

CONCORD- Late last night the House and Senate finished their legislative year with a special session.

The session was called by Gov. John Lynch (Hopkinton) to attempt to close the looming budget deficit.

And don't forget to vote in this week's Cartoon Caption Contest. Voting ends this Friday at noon.

Rep. Gary Alexander, the top Republican budget writer, running unopposed in the 20th, paints a picture of a super, sinking ferry boat. He may be his own worst enemy.