Task force whittling away at $25M hole
A state task force charged with cutting at least $25 million from the 2012-2013 state budget is more than halfway to that number with about a month left.
So far, the 12-member panel has approved cutting $20,606 from funding for school-based health centers, and reducing reimbursements to hospitals for outpatient services by $3.1 million, among other measures, according to the Bangor Daily News. The panel resumed work Tuesday and members expected decisions over further cuts to become more difficult. Proposals left include cutting the $2.5 million general fund contribution to the Head Start early education program, and eliminating all $4.2 million in funding for a program that helps young people transition from a correctional facility or residential treatment center. The task force previously tabled a proposal to close the Down East Correctional Facility in Bucks Harbor, a move Department of Corrections Commissioner Joseph Ponte said would save about $4 million.
The task force's recommendations are due in mid-December and will go to the Legislature's appropriations committee, according to the paper.
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