Montgomery, AL – Gov. Bob Riley says he's getting close to making a decision about whether to declare proration in the state education budget this month.
Riley said Thursday he's been talking with education leaders and he's expecting a financial analysis next week from an Alabama economist. A decision could come soon after that.
State revenue through the first two months of the fiscal year has fallen behind appropriations in the education budget and General Fund budget. When that happens, the governor can declare proration and dip into ``rainy day'' funds to help balance the budget.
Riley is holding off on any forecast about the General Fund budget. He said he wants to see what President-elect Barack Obama's administration recommends in extra federal funding for social services. He said an infusion of more federal money for social services would be a big help to the General Fund budget.
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