Gov.-Elect Maggie Hassan is instructing state agencies to make 3 percent cuts in next year’s budgets.
In a memo sent out Wednesday to department heads, Hassan says the budget targets will give the state flexibility to deal with unexpected financial issues.
The directive requires agencies to craft budgets for Fiscal Year 2013 that are 97 percent of this year’s adjusted appropriations.
For Fiscal Year 2014, Hassan wants budgets that are 100 percent of the adjusted 2013 spending.
Hassan says the cuts should not simply be across-the-board reductions, but should be done through targeting efficiencies and innovation.
The governor-elect says her budget targets may be adjusted up or down depending on revenues, federal actions and state priorities.
Departments must turn in their budget proposals by January 4.
Hassan says she plans to submit a balanced budget to the Legislature by February 15.
