One-Third of States Forced to Cut Back
WASHINGTON — More than one-third of the states, battered by regional economic troubles, are being forced to cut spending to avoid deficits, a survey by state budget officials shows.
While some states are raising taxes, most have dealt with budget shortfalls by cutting spending, including in such areas as education, according to the National Assn. of State Budget Officers.
“Some of the gains the states have made in education over recent years are now facing retrenchment,†said Karen Benker, an analyst for the group.
Twenty-one states--including California--have cut or have announced plans to cut budgets for the 1987 fiscal year since those spending plans were enacted, according to the survey released last week. For most states, the current fiscal year began last July.
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