News Release
Governor Honors Directors with Exceptional Reversions to General Fund
9/29/2009
Sarah Elliott 406-444-9725
Jayson O’Neill 406-444-9844
selliott@mt.gov
“I am proud to have directors who show both good and innovative management and know that state government, just like Montana families, has to live within our means,” said Governor Brian Schweitzer. “Montana has money in the bank, in part attributed to the hard work of these Directors and agency employees.”
The careful stewardship of taxpayer money by these Directors and their agencies resulted in more than $100 million being reverted to or collected for the General Fund. “These Directors gave the money back to the state when they could have spent it,” said Governor Schweitzer. “Their action helped secure the largest fund balance in history.”
The four Directors receiving awards are:
• Director Mike Ferriter, Department of Corrections reverted HB 2 general fund authority of $21.0 million or 11.2% of its annual appropriation.
• Director Anna Whiting-Sorrell, Department of Public Health and Human Services reverted HB 2 general fund authority of $19.6 million or 5.5% of its annual appropriation
• Director Mary Sexton, Department of Natural Resources reverted HB 2 general fund authority of $1.3 million or 5.7% of its appropriation and negotiated a bonus payment for school trust lands that saved the general fund $10 million
• Director Dan Bucks, Department of Revenue, provided audit collections of over $70 million to the general fund without raising taxes but by collecting taxes that were owed.
The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities also recently said that Montana was one of only two states in the nation not facing budget shortfalls in 2010. Montana has about $330 million in the bank, the largest surplus in state history.
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