The governor has directed state agencies to find $250 million in cost savings in the next fiscal year as the response to the coronavirus pandemic hits government budgets.
The announcement came in a press release from Gov. Tony Evers' office Wednesday.
The release said Evers directed Joel Brennan, undersecretary for the Department of Administration to work with other agencies in finding the potential savings in the fiscal year 2020-2021 budget.
"All state and local governments are now experiencing the difficult balance of providing vital services to residents in crisis while also managing tough fiscal realities," Evers said. "While I am still hopeful that the federal government will adopt further bipartisan proposals to stabilize funding for state and local services, in the face of continued inaction and uncertainty, the unfortunate reality is that we must take these steps and make more significant cuts."
The announcement of the move came just hours after Dane County officials called on the federal government to send more money to local pandemic response efforts.
The Department of Administration announced earlier in the summer it found $70 million in savings for the current fiscal year.
"We have hard and urgent decisions before us, but I have full confidence that my colleagues will rise to the challenge the governor presents us with today," Brennan said. "And, we know that Wisconsinites are depending on us to do the right thing. The right thing financially and the right thing to provide support during these uncertain times."
To read more go to WKOW: https://wkow.com/2020/07/22/evers-orders-state-agencies-to-find-250-million-in-cost-savings/
Photo: WKOW