New revenue shortfall hits Maine

AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) - Maine state government is facing another revenue shortfall - this one adding up to $200 million.

The Baldacci administration is asking state departments to recommend ways to cut their budgets to account for the lower-than-expected revenues. Finance Commissioner Ryan Low the largest departments will face the deepest cuts.

The $5.8 billion budget passed last spring included numerous program cuts to address falling revenues. It calls for government shutdown days and state worker pay freezes among other saving.

The order to state departments could set the stage for budget revisions when the Legislature returns in January. In the meantime, Gov. John Baldacci could issue a spending curtailment order without legislative approval.

The Appropriations Committee will meet Thursday and Friday.