►
Description
NCSL hosts the first virtual fly-in to amplify advocacy efforts for additional flexible direct aid to states in the wake of the pandemic’s catastrophic impact on state economies.
A
Pandemic
on
those
budgets,
I
will
be
dropping
those
resource
links
in
the
chat
box
for
your
reference
as
we
go
through
I
put
one
up
there
already.
So
it's
our
searchable
database
and
our
letter
that
we've
sent
on
fiscal
conditions
in
the
States
and
we'll
also
have
our
slides
online
so
that
you
can
refer
to
those
as
we
as
needed
after
this
is
over
without
further
ado.
I'm
gonna
briefly
introduce
our
speakers.
I
want
to
make
sure
they
have
the
most
time
with
you.
A
First
we'll
hear
from
our
Linda
Dougherty,
who
is
the
committee
director
for
NCS
else,
budgets
and
revenue
committee,
who
will
provide
an
overview
of
the
fiscal
outlook
in
the
States
from
a
national
perspective.
We
will
next
hear
from
Senator
Briggs
Hopson,
who
chairs
the
Mississippi
Senate
Appropriations
Committee,
and
then
following
senator
Hobson,
we
will
hear
from
representative
Marvin
Abney
who
chairs
the
Rhode
Island
House
Committee
on
Finance.
So
without
further
ado,
I'm
gonna
turn
the
microphone
and
the
presentation
over
to
mr.
Bertie.
B
Thank
you
so
much
Susan
I
appreciate
that.
Thank
you
again
to
Senator
Hobson
representative
aadmi
for
joining
us
today
and,
of
course,
all
of
our
friends
on
the
hill
and
friends
in
the
you
know
that
they
work
with
us
our
other
organizations
here
in
DC.
We,
you
know,
appreciated
appreciative
of
all
of
your
help
and
and
all
of
your
and
the
chorus
of
voices
that
we
have
here
to
to
make
the
case
for
for
States
and
for
the
resources
that
states
need
to
address
this
pandemic.
B
B
For
many
states,
but
you
know
having
learned
from
previous
disasters
previous
economic
downturns,
our
states
were
were
had
preachings
enough
and
and
fiscal
responsibility
and
management
tools
to
to
really
sort
of
head
off
as
much
well
as
they
could
any
economic
downturns.
We
could
have
anticipated,
of
course,
who
could
have
anticipated
the
economic
speed
and
severity
with
which
the
Cova
nineteen
pandemic
hit.
B
It
was
truly
no
way
that
we
could
have
prepared
for
the
basic
economic
shutdown
that
occurred
almost
overnight
to
our
economies.
So,
even
though,
in
most
states
had
gone
into
this,
you
know
with
with
responsible
and
fiscal
management
tools
and
techniques
that
would
put
them
in
good
standing.
There
was
no
way
that
we
could
basically
have
foreseen
this,
the
plummeting
of
our
of
our
economy.
B
So
here
we
have
basic.
You
know
just
generally
speaking
what
happened
to
our
state
revenues.
Well,
of
course,
they
plummeted,
and
mostly
due
to
the
income
taxes
and
the
sales
taxes
that
were
hit
and
affected
by
the
shutdown
of
our
economy
due
to
the
measures
to
help
mitigate
the
spread
of
the
virus.
Of
course,
we
had
lost
jobs
in
the
amount
of
today's
unemployment
day.
B
There
reported
us
at
being
thirteen
point
three
percent
for
the
month
of
April,
which
was
actually
down
from
fourteen
point,
seven
percent
from
the
previous
month,
but
still
you
know
terrible
numbers,
very
dramatic
numbers
that
we
have
an
experience
for
since
the
Great
Recession.
Also,
the
delayed
filings
from
moving
our
April
15th
deadline
for
taxes
to
July
15
also
caused
major
impacts
for
revenues,
as
well
as
for
actually
analyzing
the
revenue
estimates
shortfalls
that
we
were
going
to
have
many
states
still
don't
know
what
this
affects.
B
The
full
effect
is
going
to
be
until
we
hit
that
that
July
15
deadline
and
going
forward.
Of
course,
we
did
have
a
as
I
mentioned
before,
due
to
the
complete
halting
of
our
economy.
Sales
taxes
across
the
board
were
shut
down.
Retail
was
basically
overnight,
capped
off.
There
was
a
big
shift
to
groceries,
so
grocery
stores
did
actually
experience
huge,
you
know
shifted
buying,
but
most
of
those
most
states
had
these
grocery
taxes
exempt.
So
states
weren't
really
benefiting
from
the
shift
from
consumer
behavior
from
retail
to
grocery
store
bond.
B
Course
other
states
that
were
heavily
dependent
upon
oil
production
and
tourism
were
especially
vulnerable,
well
states
like
Texas
and
Wyoming
Oklahoma,
North,
Dakota,
Louisiana
and,
of
course,
Alaska
we're
hit,
and
some
states
and
in
Ashley
Alaska
was
hit
doubly
because
they
were
heavily
dependent
upon
tourism
as
well.
Many
states
dependent
upon
tourism
in
South,
Carolina,
North
Carolina,
of
course,
Hawaii
all
affected
by
the
again,
the
haunting
of
any
sort
of
tourism
dollars
that
would
have
been
coming
into
this
year.
So,
as
you
can
see
here,
our
states
were
being
affected.
B
The
revenues
that
their
normal
revenue
generation
was
being
completely
cut
off,
and
here
is
a
slide
that
shows
our
own
data
that
we've
collected
from
States,
based
on
their
actual
revenue
projections
and
revenue
estimates.
The
gray
states
were
still
sort
of
waiting
to
hear
or
still
actually
in
the
process
of
formulating
their
revenue
data,
but
based
on
what
we
have
collected
so
far,
you
can
see
that
the
total
amount
is
is
ranges
from
15
to
25
percent.
B
This
sort
of
the
mean,
if
you
will
for
what
we've
did,
are
what
we
continue
to
expect:
equalling
about
350
billion
dollars
for
the
ending
of
FY
2008
when
t1
and
even
heading
into
FY
22.
So
we've
got
some
major
numbers
here
to
combat
as
we
go
forward,
and
these
are
actually
conservative
based
on
some
reports
that
we're
hearing
where
the
numbers
are
reach
really
reaching
into
the
750
billion
dollar
range,
so
find
your
state's
good
news
right
there.
B
If
you
can
now-
and
this
is
just
a
pie-
chart
sort
of
showing
how
you
know
normally
how
funds
are
spent
state
dollar
wise,
you
can
see
you
know,
I
haven't-
quotes
your
or
prints.
These
I
should
say
how
the
decreased
funds
you
know,
would
be
spent
on
a
normal
basis.
Of
course
it
does
vary
state
by
state,
but,
generally
speaking,
you
can
see
here
what
the
general
fund
expects.
Expenditures
are
to
be
on
the
statewide
level.
B
So
how
are
state
budgets
being
affected?
Well,
obviously,
they're
going
to
be
extremely
squeezed
and
and
because
of
the
crisis
that
we're
in
the
social
services
programs
you
know,
are
going
to
be
tapped
and
even
more
so
eligibility
ability
for
Medicaid
and
3
million
or
so
Americans
drawing
unemployment.
That
number
fluctuates,
but
you
can
see
here
that
you
know
at
the
same
time
that
revenues
are
going
down
that
the
you
know,
the
need
for
our
social
programs
to
help
keep
our
citizens
afloat
are
are
actually
the
demand
is
going
up
for
that.
B
So
how
will
states
balance
their
budgets?
Well,
we
can
go
from
you
know
previous
year's
data
or
based
on
what
we
know
from
the
Great
Recession
and
also
coupled
with
some
anecdotal
examples
of
some
states
that
are
currently
making
these
priorities
right
now
or
actually
reprioritizing
their
budgets.
As
we
speak
of
course,
number
one
would
be
spending
freeze
and
budget
cuts.
Some
examples,
I
have
listed
here.
B
Georgia
you
know,
is
asking
the
able
C's
to
prepare
for
14%
Utah
has
asked
their
agencies
to
prepare
for
plans
and
in
various
different
formats,
Texas
at
5%
they,
but
those
are
more
across-the-board
cuts.
We
can
also
do
you
know
more
targeted
cuts,
for
instance,
Missouri
right
now
is
asking
for
their
higher
ed
to
to
help
take
on
some
of
the
burden,
furloughs,
of
course,
and
pay
cuts
for
public
workers.
Public
employees,
California
has
already
proposed
cutting
10%
other
state
worker
pay.
B
The
other
way
to
help
to
balance
their
budget,
which
states
are
all
you
know
required
to
do,
is
to
increase
revenues
and
how
to
do
that.
We
were
already
sort
of
struggling
with
that
before
Kovan
happened
and
now
we're
having
to
deal
with
it.
We're
with
cope
it
factored
in.
So
are
we
going
to
broaden
our
tax
base?
Are
we
gonna
start
taxing,
or
can
we
start
taxing
services?
B
Should
we
implement
temporary
tax
increases?
Should
we
perhaps
tax
high
income
earners,
so
these
are
all
different
areas
that
states
are
looking
at.
Of
course,
we
don't
know
if
any
states
right
now
that
are
actually
going
to
be
implementing
any
tax
increases,
but
that
is,
of
course
something
states
will
have
to
decide
physically.
What
to
do.
You
know
again
most
states
balance
their
budgets
every
year
and
have
to
balance
their
budgets
based
on
their
or
as
required
by
their
constitutions.
So
these
are
just
the
you
know.
B
The
hard
choices
that
states
are
gonna
have
to
do.
Here's
just
a
slide,
that's
sort
of
showing
you
know
where
budgets
or
where
the
budget
process
is
for
some
states.
They're
grade
states
are
states
that
are
currently
in
the
process
of
conducting
their
budgets,
but,
as
you
can
see
here,
some
states
have
already
enacted
their
budgets.
Some
states
were
in
the
process
of
doing
so.
B
Several
states
were
awaiting
governor
action
and,
if
you
you
know,
we're
had
a
couple
of
biennial
budgets
that
were
put
in
place.
So
what
this
tells
us
basically,
is
that
you
know
states
are
gonna,
have
to
call
special
sessions
now
to
come
and
help
deal
with
whatever
federal
resources
they
have,
but
also
now
how
to
implement
any
fiscal
measures
that
need
to
occur
as
a
result
of
probit.
B
Of
course,
we
did
have
a
lot
of
we've
had
federal
support
in
various
forms
that
had
been
given
to
states
the
cares.
Act
provided
150
billion
dollars
to
the
current
of
iris,
which
I
know
was
a
was
a
great
interest
and
important
to
States.
That
you
know
was
that
form
that
CRF
on
was
put
into
place
to
basically
help
States
meet
Kovan
related
expenses.
That
has
also
not
gone
without
a
little
bit
of
a
you
know.
B
B
So
what
lies
ahead,
of
course,
are
to
state
our
state
senator
and
our
state
representative,
Hopson
and
represented
admin
can
can
address
this
more
boots
on
the
ground
if
you
will,
but
there
is
obviously
uncertainty
ahead,
our
economy
starting
to
reopen.
Now
you
know
what
does
that
look
like
for
states?
What
does
that
look
like
for
localities?
Is
there
pent-up
demand?
Probably,
but
what
does
it
look
like
at
the
end?
How
will
that
filter
out?
How
will
jobs
return
and
will
these
jobs
be
the
same
jobs
or
will
they
be
different?
I
mean?
B
Obviously
there
will
be
huge
transitions
that
are
that
are
happening
in
our
economy,
and
will
there
be
a
second
way?
That
is
also
something
that
states
are
considering.
You
know,
and
public
health
officials
are
also
considering
you
know,
yeah
sure
we
maybe
is.
Maybe
some
states
haven't
had
a
number
of
cases
that
they
were
expecting,
but
will
there
be
a
second
wave
later
on
in
a
few
months
when
people
start
to
to
come
back
and
socialize
and
then
finally,
the
real
point
of
why
we're
here
today
is
will
will
they'll
be
more?
B
Will
there
be
more
resources
from
the
federal
government
to
help
States
meet
this
challenge?
So
these
are
all
factors
that
were
we're
all
trying
to
play
into
together
here,
and
hopefully
we
will
shed
some
light
on
that
for
our
members
and
friends
from
the
hill
today,
and
if
you
have
any
questions,
please
feel
free
to
contact
me.
We
do
keep
a
running
list.
That's
updated,
up-to-the-minute
on
our
websites
that
contains
all
of
state
actions
with
respect
to
Cove
in
nineteen
as
we
go
forward.
B
C
Thank
You,
Susan
and
or
Linda,
and
thank
you
for
the
preface
that
which
you
have
given
us
and
I
think
the
questions
at
the
end
are
the
things
that
we're
all
struggling
with.
Frankly,
I've
been
a
lot
of
zoom
meetings
in
the
last
few
weeks,
as
it
relates
to
the
Pens
and
again
I'm,
not
sure,
because
we're
all
looking
for
unanswered
quicker.
We
have
unanswered
questions
or,
if
it's
just
misery,
loves
company.
C
These
are
challenging
times
and
I
find
that
a
lot
of
times
you
feel
better,
knowing
that
a
lot
of
other
people,
unfortunately,
are
going
through
the
same
crises,
the
same
difficulties
that
you
are,
and
here
we
are
again
today
to
discuss
some
things
that
are
related
to
our
state's
budgets
and
I.
Think
it's
important
and
as
we
go
through
this
they're
important
for
me
at
least
to
kind
of
give
you
some
context
and
let
you
know
just
a
little
bit
about
Mississippi
first
before
we
talk
about
some
of
the
challenges
that
we
face.
C
You
know
the
sources
of
income
in
Mississippi,
individual
income
tax
is
important,
but
our
number
one
source
of
revenue
is
sales
tax
and
then
it
goes
individual
corporate
taxes,
insurance
gaming
tourism
is
a
big
part
of
what
we
do
in
Mississippi.
It's
not
as
big
as
some
of
our
sister
states
Florida
in
our
area,
for
instance,
Texas.
Of
course,
your
big
tourism
States,
but
it
does
make
up
a
significant
portion
of
our
budget
and
probably
like
most
of
you,
we
were
looking
at
record
growth.
This
year
we
were
having
a
full
rainy
day
fund.
C
We
had
capital
expense
funds
which
we
utilize
try
to
utilize,
and
you
have
additional
money
to
support
our
state
agencies
with
their
building
and
repair
and
Rehab
projects,
and
that
fun
looked
terrific
and
we
were
having
significant
increases
in
income.
I
say
this
probably
because
if
any
of
you
started
a
new
job
when
it
changed
on
you,
the
joke
around
the
capital
is,
you
know,
be
careful.
What
you
ask
for
I
was
vice
chairman
of
appropriations
for
four
years,
the
last
four
years
serving
a
Judiciary
Chairman
and
when
I
became
the
appropriations
chairman.
C
A
lot
of
people
said:
oh
great,
you
know
wonderful
thing
and
then
now
everybody
walks
Ram
and
like
I've,
got
the
pan
blocked
up.
It's
got
me
because
they
don't
want
to
be
anywhere
around
me.
It's
a
lot
different
than
what
it
was
and
the
challenge
that
we're
dealing
with
the
Mississippi
right
now
is
not
just
the
20,
the
20
20
year,
which
is
our
current
fiscal
year
that
ends
at
the
end
of
June,
looking
ahead
in
2021
and
then
on
top
of
it
trying
to
allocate
or
appropriate
the
care
Zach
fund.
C
So
we've
got
a
lot
of
challenges
here.
I
do
think
it's
important
to
note
that
the
the
change
that
has
taken
place
in
Mississippi,
just
overnight
almost
due
to
this
pandemic,
is
that
we
went
from
those
record
revenues
and
record
budget
outlook
to
hundreds
of
million,
maybe
even
close
to
a
billion
dollars
in
losses.
You
should
know
this.
Mississippi
has
a
general
and
that's
all
general
funds.
We've
got
a
general
fund
budget
of
about
six
billion
dollars.
C
Our
overall
state
budget
is
about
twenty
billion,
so
you
can
kind
of
use
those
numbers
and
extrapolate
those
for
purposes
of
consideration
for
your
state.
Our
state
economists
addressed
us
this
week.
He
talked
about
a
7.6
percent
decline
in
Mississippi
was
what
they
were
projecting
for
fiscal
year,
2021
again
that
starts
July
1
of
this
year
and
runs
through
the
end
of
June
in
2021.
I
think
he
mentioned
that
the
federal
economy
is
looking
at
about
a
7.3
percent
decline
in
revenue
could
be
worse
depending
on
whether
or
not
we
have
a
second
wave.
C
If
we
have
some
other
closures
of
businesses,
all
the
things
that
I
know
you
listeners
are
thinking
about
as
well,
but
Mississippi
had
gotten
to
a
point
where
we
were
just
reaching
a
stage.
We
have
come
out
of
the
recession
from
really
10
years
ago.
We
had
gotten
above
that,
and
things
were
looking
good
and
some
of
the
cuts
that
we
had
to
make
10
years
ago,
we
had
finally
started
to
replenish
those
items,
those
agencies
and
get
back
to
kind
of
a
level
playing
field.
C
Now
we
are
looking
at
what
I
proposed
last
week
in
our
first
action.
Senate
action
was
a
6.5
percent
cut
to
most
state
agencies,
and
we
exempted
a
few
agencies
of
a
few
things
that
we
didn't
feel
like
we
could
cut,
but
we
also
reduce
some
other
ones.
Nobody
took
worse
than
a
6.5
percent
budget
cut
in
our
initial
action.
We
are
waiting
to
see
if
we
can
have
some
additional
revenue
outlook
we'll
get
a
revenue
report
in
about
seven
days.
C
I
think
one
of
the
things
that
is
important
in
both
Susan
and
or
Linda
alluded
to
this.
In
their
comments,
is,
you
know
the
flexible
flexibility
aspect
of
budgeting
and
why
that's
important
to
me
as
I'm
dealing
with
you
know
three
things
as
I
mentioned
xx.
How
do
we
get
out
of
2020?
What
are
we
doing
in
2021
and
how
do
we
allocate?
These
cares?
Act
dollars
I'm
very
aware
of
the
different
requirements
and
regulations
as
it
relates
to
the
cares
Act,
and
there
are
a
lot
of
good
things
and
there's.
C
Certainly
those
expenses
that
are
related
to
code,
19
or
things
you
know
unexpected
expenses
should
be
will
be
if
they
aren't
already
covered
by
some
appropriations
that
we've
made
or
direct
appropriations
to
the
the
agencies
within
our
state
from
the
federal
government.
But
then
we've
already
done
a
business
plan,
a
business
budget
that
would
allow
up
to
300
million
dollars
for
our
businesses
to
access
dollars
that
they
need.
We
started
with
the
businesses
that
were
closed
and
then
we've
moved.
C
The
next
step
is
going
to
be
moving
to
those
that
we're
not
forced
to
close,
but
certainly
sustained
losses
and
there's
an
application
process
that
we've
set
up
in
our
state
to
go
through
that.
We
expect
that
hospitals
will
be
reimbursed
very
soon
for
their
expenses,
hospitals
and
other
health
care
workers,
and
then
our
local
governments,
I'm
sure
all
of
you
are
looking
at
that
as
well
and
then
finally,
education.
Those
are
kind
of
four
big
areas:
education,
health
care,
local
governments
and
the
businesses.
C
Now
we
do
have
some
other
smaller
ones
that
may
be
able
to
access
the
cares
fund.
But
the
thing
that
concerns
me,
the
most
is
our
state
agencies
and
whether
there
are
additional
that
can
come
from
Congress
or
something
that
could
be
utilized
in
the
cares
Act
when
I
think
about
what
our
state
agencies
do
for
the
citizens
of
our
state.
C
C
We
can
do
about
it,
but
when
I
look
at
where
I
know
dollars
will
be
well-spent
at
our
state,
I'm,
confident
that
through
those
agencies
and
through
the
programs
that
we
have
set
up
in
Mississippi,
we
will
well
utilize
any
dollars
that
we
can
get
to
agencies
to
prevent
these
cuts.
And,
frankly,
once
we
start
cutting
in
2021,
it's
going
to
be
difficult.
C
Let
me
just
add
this
one
last
thing:
I
think
that's
real
important
for
this,
for
this
discussion
is
the
the
pandemic
that
if
we
have
a
second
wave
or
something
else
that
goes
on
in
this
state,
frankly,
I
just
don't
know
what
we're
gonna
do,
because
the
cuts
I
think
that
we're
gonna
see
already
are
going
to
be
so
devastating
to
our
budgets.
I,
don't
know
how
we
will
handle
an
additional
revenue
cut,
because
there
just
aren't
enough
funds
left.
C
D
Am
I
unmuted
now?
Okay,
thank
you!
That's
for
Linda's
fault.
You
know
we
was
you
wanted
to
help
on
these
things.
Yeah
she's
laughing
now,
but
Thank
You,
senator
Hopson,
for
for
a
great
story
on
Mississippi
I.
Think
that
the
the
important
thing
about
this
is
that
people
will
begin
to
hear
that
most
of
us,
although
states
are
very
different,
but
most
of
the
states
are
facing
the
same
kind
of
issues
in
their
own
ways
and
I
know
that
here
in
Rhode
Island
what
we
do
were
a
smaller
state,
but
it's
no
different.
D
What
you
do
in
a
you
know
in
a
much
bigger
state,
for
example,
we're
we're
just
in
the
process
because
once
covered
19
started,
we
had
to
make
a
decision
whether
or
not
we
would
take
care
of
public
health
or
continue
the
economic
stuff.
We
were
doing
it
at
our
particular
Statehouse,
but
we
were
not
allowed
to
go
back.
You
know
to
the
Statehouse
to
work
for
quite
a
while,
and
it's
only
in
the
last
three
or
four
weeks
that
my
finance
committee
has
been
back.
D
So
the
result
of
that
has
been
kind
of
a
disconnect
between
you
know:
state
government
agencies,
the
legislature,
so
we're
working
on
that.
So
the
number
one
issue
that
probably
has
not
been
mentioned
yet
for
me,
though,
is
timing.
I
think
all
of
our
states
know
Linda.
Can
she
can
correct
me
if
I'm
wrong,
usually
in
June
or
near
the
end
of
June?
That's
what
we
all
have
to
have
our
budgets
done.
D
We
were
handed
a
budget
back
in
in
January
I,
believe
it
was
a
certain
area,
early
February
that
we
have
to
start
working
within
and
all
of
a
sudden,
very
fast.
When
this
hit
we
had
to
stop
and
the
entire
state
just
shut
down.
So
it's
important
that
the
Senators
understand
and
they
got
to
remember
the
senators
they
represent.
D
They
all
live
in
a
city
or
town
someplace
in
America
and
when
that
happened,
particularly
in
local
areas
that
stopped
an
economic
engine
that
was
making
things
happen
in
in
their
States
and
in
their
cities
in
towns,
and
it
was
all
of
a
sudden.
So
the
proposal
that
was
given
to
us
the
way
our
system
works.
Here's
the
government
gives
us
a
proposal
as
the
legislature
and
then
we
vet
that
proposal
over
months.
Before
we
end
up.
D
You
know,
bargaining
and
negotiating
and
coming
up
with
the
document,
but
then
is
laid
dormant
for
such
a
long
time,
because
many
governors
have
had
to
operate.
You
know
out
of
all
the
mechanism
to
get
things
done,
so
tommy
is
just
so
important,
which
means
that
even
last
night
and
this
morning,
I
was
working
with
my
Finance
Committee.
If
we
don't
know-
or
we
have
to
assume
that
we
are
not
going
to
get
any
other
well,
I
have
to
build
a
budget
assuming
we're
not
going
to
get
any
other
resources
now.
D
I
hope
that
we
will,
but
that's
where
you
have
to
start
and
I
also
have
to
build
a
budget
based
on
the
fact
that
not
all
of
the
emergency
money
that
we
got
came
to
the
legislature
itself.
So
there's
negotiations
between
the
branches
of
government,
the
executive,
the
Senate
and
the
house
in
order
to
get
things
appropriated
here
in
Rhode,
Island,
appropriation
start
in
the
House
of
Representatives,
but
I
work
very
closely
with
my
Senate
counterpart,
whom
I
had
a
meeting
with
just
before
we
came
on
this
one.
D
So
it's
very
difficult
because
we've
got
three
different
entities
that
we're
dealing
with.
Well.
If
we
know
that
there's
going
to
be
federal
help,
we
can
work
one
way,
but
if
we
don't
know
that
we
have
to
work
another
way-
and
it
has
been
said
by
everyone
that,
because
we
had
to
make
a
decision
between
public
health
and
economics,
it
meant
that
we
had
a
lot
of
things
to
do
in
terms
of
well.
You
know
how
are
we
going
to
come
up
with
what
we
need
to
run
this
particular
government?
D
Now
you
get
into
do
you
raise
taxes
which
is
not
something
that
that's
on
our
plate
to
do?
Or
do
you
cut
services?
And
it's
already
been
said
quite
a
bit-
that
the
cutting
services,
particularly
in
our
most
needy
neighborhoods?
It's
just
not
something
that
that
I
think
we
need
to
do
with
this
at
this
point
in
time.
D
So
to
add
insult
to
injury,
if
you
do
start
raising
your
broad-based
taxes,
which
we
don't
do-
that
that
often
you're
now
taking
money
out
of
people
who
would
would
you
know
you
would
have
to
use
that
to
get
your
economy
going?
We
are
tourists
economy
here
to
some
degree.
That's
one
of
the
largest
pieces
of
our
economy
and
I
heard
senator
Hopson.
Talking
about
that
and
as
a
Tuesda
kana
me,
we
have
a
lot
of
small
businesses
that
depend
upon.
You
know:
traffic
foot
traffic
people
coming
in
and
out.
D
So
when
those
things
stop
the
unemployment
rate
it
shut
up,
we
got
a
lot
of
help
from
the
federal
government.
That's
true,
but
that
was
temporary
here
and
now,
as
we
begin
to
open
back
up,
we've
got
to
determine
how
we're
going
to
do
that
safely
and
at
a
very
reduced
cost,
we're
looking
at
a
7%
difference,
but
next
year
than
what
we
thought
that
was
going
to
be,
and
that
does
mean
that
some
of
the
agencies,
some
of
the
things
that
are
really
important.
What
island
is?
D
We
may
have
to
take
a
look
at
that
funding
as
much
as
we
would
like
to
so.
My
plea
is
that
whatever
does
the
the
Senate
does
that
it
does
it
in
a
timely
manner,
so
that
we'd
be
able
to
use
that
to
craft
a
budget
without
having
to
take
these
draconian
methods
to
do
those
and
would
be
very
helpful
to
us
if
you
did
that
that
amount
of
stability
is
so
important.
D
I
think
that
Washington
has
to
realize,
just
as
the
America
has
to
stabilize
states
have
to
stabilize
their
economies
too,
because
the
state's
economy
are
the
things
that
make
the
United
States
economy
and
without
some
federal
help.
That
is
just
difficult.
The
other
big
issue
is
just
the
flexibility
and
I
think
Senator
Hopson
talked
about
that
too,
and
so
did
our
Olinda.
We
still
are
not
quite
clear,
sometimes
on
some
rules
of
how
you
can
use
the
money
that
that
we
have
I
know
it
seems
simple,
but
it
is
not
that
simple
trust
me.
D
I
know
that
when
you're
giving
out
money,
it's
taxpayer
money-
and
you
have
how
you
do
that,
but
it
is
so
important
that
states
have
that
flexibility
and
just
in
my
own
working
we're
determining
now
what
dollars
we
may
be
able
to
swap
or
what,
how
we
may
be
able
to
do
this,
and
it's
it's
very
difficult
if
you
don't
have
clear
rules.
The
other
thing
that
concerns
me
is
our
state
and
local
governments.
Now
they
did
get
some
help.
D
How
does
it
care
Zac,
but
many
are
doing
their
own
budgets
right
now,
as
we
speak,
and
many
of
them
have
budget
meters
themselves
and
if
we
get
past
June,
everyone
is
going
to
be
looking
for
mechanisms
as
to
how
we
can
still
have
budget
meetings
and
produce
a
budget
outside
of
what
either
your
lawyer,
your
Constitution
says.
So
it's
very
difficult
to
craft,
something
without
having
a
not
a
specific
date,
but
knowing,
if
you're
going
to
get
something
or
not.
So
that's
that's
very
important
to
us.
D
The
other
thing
is
very
important
to
us
is
having
a
clear
direction
from
the
federal
government
on
how
we
can
use
the
money
to
the
degree
that
it
will
supplement
some
of
the
revenue,
the
income
that
that
states
and
governments
have
put
in
their
budgets.
I
know
that
at
this
point
that
that's
not
that's
not
probably
happening,
but
it
is
so
clear
and
it
is
so
important
for
states
to
be
able
to
understand
what
they
can
do
with
these.
D
These
federal
funds
and
I
sailor
have
to
say
that
most
of
what
we
support
comes
out
of
our
general
revenues,
and
you
know
our
rainy
day
fund,
like
a
number
of
rainy
day
funds.
In
our
case,
we
have
to
pay
it
back
the
next
year,
so
it's
not
like
taking
money
out
of
a
rainy
day
fund
and
using
it
and
that's
it.
We
have
to
pay
it
back
next
year.
D
So
whatever
that
amount
is
that's
one
of
the
minuses
that
we
have
to
go
the
year
before,
so
that
mechanism
is
there
he
has
to
help
us
get
out
of
where
we
are
but
to
go
forward
with
the
next
budget.
We
would
happen
that
would
have
to
be
one
of
the
things
that
we
look
to
put
back,
so
it's
very
complicated.
It's
it's
not
easy
to
do.
D
We
do
need
a
little
bit
more
clear
direction,
but
I
think
one
of
the
lessons
we've
learned
in
this
is
that
there
has
to
be
better
cooperation
between
the
legislature.
The
governor
in
our
states
and
I
know
that
the
different
states
have
had
different
issues
with
that.
But
when
those
funds
come
into
a
state,
they
come
into
a
state
for
a
reason.
So
we
have
to
be
able
to
work.
D
I
think
we
have
to
give
more
leeway
to
the
small
businesses
and
businesses
as
they
open,
because
many
here
are
going
way
out
of
their
way
to
make
sure
a
that
people
are
safe
and
that
they
compete
against
each
other
and
I'm
one
of
those,
as
for
making
sure
that
businesses
do
compete
so
I.
You
know,
I
hope
that
the
two
things
that
the
Senate
takes
out
of
this
is
its
timing
and
flexibility
to
the
best
that
they
can
so
that
we
at
the
state
level
and
do
exactly
the
same
thing.
Okay,
Linda.
A
Thank
you
so
much
representative
Abney
and
Senator
Hobson
for
your
very
insightful
comments.
I
have
a
couple
of
questions
here:
I'm
gonna
start
with
or
Linda
on.
In
the
NCSL
letter
that
was
sent
to
the
hill,
there
was
a
300
billion
dollar
estimate.
In
that
letter,
how
did
NZSL
derive
that
figure?
That's.
B
A
great
question:
Susan
thanks
for
thanks
for
that,
and
actually
looking
back
now,
based
on
some
of
the
other
projections
that
we've
gotten
in
recently,
you
know
our
figure.
Our
request
almost
seems
conservative,
but
you
know
we
were
using
that
number
based
on
early
revenue
loss
projections
that
we
had
at
the
time
and
based
on
our
own
data
that
we
have
were
able
to
sort
of
gather
from
art
for
our
state's
from
our
previous
resources
from
the
past
and
also
basing
it
on
experiences
from
the
Great
Recession
of
almost
ten
years
ago.
B
You
know,
which
is
basically
the
relationship
of
unemployment
data
with
state
revenue
projection.
So
again
these
were
these
were
based
on.
You
know
our
earlier
estimates
of
what
the
the
full-stop
of
the
economy
was
going
through,
I
guess
back
with
maybe
five
weeks
ago
now,
a
month
ago,
I'm
not
exactly
sure
but
earlier
estimates,
and
we
were
again
you
know
being
what
we
consider
to
be
pretty
conservative
and
responsible
with
the
request,
especially
given
the
data
that
we're
actually
gathering
now
and
hearing
from
from
our
state's
now
as
to
what
the
needs
actually
are.
A
You
and
this
next
question
is
for
either
or
either
or
both
senator
Hobson
and
representative
Abney.
You
alluded
to
some
of
the
difficult
budget
decisions
that
you're
having
to
make
now
in
your
state's
due
to
the
economic
situation
you're
currently
facing.
Can
you
elaborate
a
little
bit
more
on
some
of
those
tough
calls.
D
I
can
some
some
of
the
tough
calls
are
as
and
many
of
them
have
been
alluded
to
in
the
in
the
presentation.
Is
that
if
you
have
a
finite
amount
of
resources
that
you
have
to
use,
you
know
where
do
you
start
cutting?
Do
you
do
you
start
cutting
with
with
with
state
employees?
You
know
you
have
to
you
have
to
take
a
look
at
that.
Do
you
cut
funding
to
some
of
the
community
programs
that
you've
had
before
you
know
you
have
to
take
a
look
at
those
sorts
of
things.
D
D
Probably
3/4
of
the
well
they're
their
total
amount
of
money
that
we've
not
had
that
amount
of
money
would
take
care
of
our
prison
system,
our
public
safety
system,
if
that's
not
there
next
year,
where
did
we
make
it
up
from
so
we're
making
pretty
pretty
tough
choices,
usually
within
the
the
cost
of
personnel?
The
cost
of
projects
that
are
have
been
proposed,
we're
taking
a
look
at
whether
or
not
we
are
still
go
on
to
fund
some
of
those
or
not.
C
Thank
you,
representative
admin.
The
only
two
things
I'll
add
to
that.
That
was
a
great
response.
We're
looking
at
the
same
kind
of
things
things
that
that
or
one
is
the
uncertainty
of
the
the
2021
outlook.
We
don't
know
what
the
really
the
revenue,
even
the
economists
state
economist,
tells
that
a
lot
of
this
is
a
little
bit
of
a
dart
game.
You're,
throwing
the
dart
up
there
to
see
what
its
going
to
be
in
this
7.6%
number
I
gave
you
earlier
it's
good
at
projections.
C
They
can
do
but
they're
very
quick
on
our
economic
teams,
very
quick
to
say
that
this
could
be
way
worse
or
it
could
be
a
little
better.
So
that
makes
it
especially
difficult.
The
other
thing
just
add
on
to
what
representative
at
me
said
is
you
have
to
prioritize
we're
having
to
prioritize
areas.
There
are
a
few
places
where
you
cannot
cut
in
your
state
budget
either
because
there's
a
pending,
maybe
a
lawsuit,
that's
involved
or
there's
an
issue
about
maintenance
of
effort,
and
you
have
to
keep
those
levels
the
same.
C
A
A
All
right
looks
like
you
guys
did
a
very
thorough
job
nobody's
got
any
questions
to
go
further.
So
I
want
to
thank
everybody
for
coming
on
the
call
and
I'd
like
to
thank
our
Linda
Doherty
and
Senator
Hobson
and
representative
Abney
for
their
very
insightful
and
very
thorough
presentations
this
afternoon.
A
We
hope
that
you
all
are
able
to
take
away
some
some
good
thoughts
from
this
and
help
us
out
here,
as
when
you
speak
to
your
bosses
about
future
stimulus
funding.
I
think
the
message
is
is
that
we
would
like
the
flexibility
for
what's
already
been
appropriated,
and
we
would
also
be
very
much
appreciative
of
any
additional
funds
that
Congress
would
like
to
give
to
the
states
to
help
us
in
this
economic
situation
that
we're
in
this
will
conclude
our
briefing.
A
If
you
have
any
additional
questions,
feel
free
to
email,
us
or
Linda
dougherty's
emails
up
on
the
screen
there
and
in
the
chat
box,
and
you
can
also
email
me
as
well,
and
we
will
post
those
momentarily
here.
Both
email
addresses
so
feel
free
to
follow
up.
We
will
also
have
all
of
our
information
from
today
online
and
hope
that
you
can
tune
in
to
that
if
you
need
to
catch
up,
but
thank
you
everyone
and
have
a
wonderful
weekend.