State revenues less than expected

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AP and Paul McHardy reportingA sluggish economy has state budget writers revising how much money the state will take in before the fiscal year ends this month.

In a blog post Wednesday, Senate Budget Chairman Lyle Hillyard says state revenues could be off by as much as $100 million from a February revenue forecast. That's when state lawmakers were writing the upcoming year's state budget.

The Republican from Logan says there's a chance revenues could be $70 million higher than expected, too, but it's not as likely.

John Nixon, director of the Governor's Office of Planning and budget, says even though it's a lot of money, it should all clear up by mid-August.

"Compared to the overall scheme of things, when you talk about $100 million or a $150 million range, you're really talking only 3 percent of the total forecasted budget," Nixon said.

He says they're prepared for whichever results come in at the end of the fiscal year.

Meanwhile, Hillyard says the state should be able to make up for the forecast loss in revenues. Lawmakers set aside $100 million in a rainy day fund and spent $100 million less than they could have for the upcoming fiscal year, which begins next month.

E-mail: pmchardy@ksl.com