State structural deficit approaches $1.8 billion (nearly three times higher than in may)

The state faces a nearly $1.8 billion structural deficit heading into the next biennial budget cycle, the nonpartisan Legislative Fiscal Bureau reported Monday.

The projection comes as Gov. Scott Walker touts his fiscal responsibility as he seeks re-election in November. He says he and fellow Republicans solved a $3.6 billion structural deficit inherited from Democratic Gov. Jim Doyle. Walker faces Madison School Board member Mary Burke, who served for two-and-a-half years as Doyle's Commerce secretary.

The $1.77 billion structural deficit means that whoever writes the 2015-17 state budget would have to address the third-largest gap between projected revenues and expenditures since 1997-99 budget cycle.

The projection could change as more information about state finances emerges throughout the fall, including a final report on 2014 revenues and spending due out next month. The deficit is nearly three times higher than it was in May, when the fiscal bureau projected a $642 million structural deficit for 2015-17.

http://host.madison.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/on-politics/state-structural-deficit-approaches-billion/article_cde05234-6e83-5e5a-996d-160f758b92e8chtml

Kick this ass to the curb.