Deal said Tuesday there are reasons to be optimistic - the number of Georgians working has increased and consumer confidence is up.
But the state is also facing the loss of about $1 billion in federal stimulus money for the fiscal year that begins July 1. Deal said state agencies will be asked to take an average cut of 7 percent for fiscal year 2012. That comes on top of three years of back-to-back cuts.
Tuesday's joint meeting of the House and Senate Appropriations committees is the first step for the Legislature as they take up Deal's budget blueprint.
http://accesswdun.com/article/2011/1/235374