SALT LAKE CITY -- Utah lawmakers are expected to finish their budget deliberations this week or next as they consider ways to deal with a 2010 deficit that could mean an additional cut of $200 million from the current state budget.
On Monday, social service advocates from Ogden and around the state worked the halls of the state Capitol, hoping to protect their agencies from losing program dollars.
"I'm worried about the cuts," said Dede Fluette, of the Ogden-Weber Community Action Partnership.
Fluette was one of four from the Northern Utah agency who participated in what advocates call "Democracy Day" at the statehouse.
Social service advocates from the Utah Housing Coalition, AARP and other community partnerships are trying to have a say in what happens in the tug of war between Gov. Gary Herbert's plan of a 3 percent cut and the lawmakers' proposal to cut 4 percent, all in an effort to deal with lower-than-expected revenue.
OWCAP reports that it helps an average of 1,000 low-income families a month with everything from food planning to career counseling.
Fluette hopes money for its tax assistance programs survives the budget-cutting ax.
"We have about 65 volunteers. They help people understand they can take deductions, like the earned income credit," Fluette said.
The Utah Senate may begin voting today on its version of the cuts.
"It's all about the backfill," said Sen. Lyle Hillyard, R-Logan.
He believes one of the major decisions is about how money from the state reserves, such as the rainy day fund, will be used to backfill or help reduce the difference between the debt and the money saved from program cuts.
The Utah House will follow the Senate with its own debate, then both chambers may have to reconcile their cutting proposal with what Herbert has in mind to balance the state budget.
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