Impact of Budget Cuts
Lisa-Michele Church, Executive Director Department of Human Services
The Legislature approved $2.9 million in net reductions to the FY2009 Department of Human Services budget on January 30, 2009. We appreciate the backfill of one-time dollars into critical service areas. The revenue downturn is sizable and we continue to struggle with difficult choices. The recent cuts were in addition to the Special Session cuts to the FY 2009 budget in the September, 2008 Special Session. The current legislative session continues until March 12, 2009 and we will continue in our efforts to protect Utah's most vulnerable residents within available resources.
Our strategy is as follows:
1) Keep essential services in place
2) Articulate the positive outcomes that are achieved by Human Services in improving our community
3) Explain the good investment that Human Services represents to the taxpayers
4) Ask the Legislature to consider allowing us to use some one-time money to patch critical services until the economy improves.
I am proud of the work we do at Human Services and I appreciate the community's support. We rely on many important partners, such as counties, private providers, charitable organization, and individuals, to care for the most needy and vulnerable in our society. We need to pull together more than ever. Support for the Governor's approach is appreciated. I am hopeful that the community will support our strategy and keep Utah's quality of life intact.
FY 2009 Balanced Budget Proposal