The State Equalization Board will meet in less than two weeks. At that meeting, we will get out first hard numbers on next year’s budget shortfall.
On top of declining revenue, State Budget Director Preston Doerflinger says earmarks--- taken off the top before the budget process--- complicate matters.
Doerflinger has been reluctant to give a number, but other sources say the shortfall will be between 800-thousand and one-billion dollars.