Posted: 11.22.2010

The latest estimate of how deep Wisconsin's
state budget shortfall will be in two years is $2.2 billion, an
improvement from previous estimates of roughly $2.7 billion.

The estimate released Friday by the state Department of
Administration assumes 4.2 percent revenue growth next year and 3.4
percent the year after that. That comes after a 7 percent drop in
2009 and no growth this year.

The latest estimate takes into account spending requests made by
state agencies under the control of outgoing Democratic Gov. Jim
Doyle. Those agencies collectively asked for a 4.9 percent increase
in funding next year and another 2.5 percent the following year.

Fixing the budget will be left to Republican Gov.-elect Scott
Walker and the newly elected Legislature, which is controlled by
Republicans.

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