Posted on February 11, 2010 by Tim Albrecht in News Clips, On the Blogs, Press Room
DMR Blogs: Auditor contends Culver budget likely exceeds legal limits
According to Vaudt’s report:
Among Auditor Vaudt’s findings:
- Culver budgeted $341 million in savings to the general fund, the chief operating budget of the state based largely on recommended savings from a consultant. Even if the consultant’s findings are completely enacted, at least $83 million of the savings would be allocated to other accounts outside of the general fund.
- The consultant’s recommendation of savings are overestimated. One item to modernize unclaimed property searches was estimated to pump $40 million into the general fund but that is money that belong to taxpayers and must be returned, Vaudt said.
- Culver’s budget in the current fiscal year was balanced partly upon unpaid leaves that were negotiated with unions. That’s money that will not be saved in the fiscal year that begins July 1 unless more furloughs are approved. Nonetheless, the $13 million of savings was not factored in the governor’s budget.
- Culver’s budget does not factor $86 million in salary increases negotiated by unions.
