Although the long-delayed 2002-2003 Budget Act has finally been enacted, the state's fiscal condition remains extremely uncertain. In fact, there are two very ominous "black clouds" still hanging over the budget process. First, one of the last minutebudget deals involved 750 million dollar in additional budget cuts. The cuts, which are unspecified, are left to the Governor to decide and must be taken from the current year budget. It is not known where the cuts will be made. Secondly, although the Legislature is now in recess, it could reconvene after the Nov. 4 election to re-open budget issues. The "lame duck" legislature would then have until Nov. 30 to complete its business at which time the 2000-2002 Legislative Session would officially end.
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