What will budget cuts affect

We will likely have less money for training and travel. We plan to give up a portion of our leased office space. We are still considering the option of having staff take time off without pay. We are grateful that we avoided layoffs of permanent program evaluation staff, but it is unfortunate that we will not be able to fill vacant positions.

Ken Levine , Texas Sunset Commission. In Texas, we were required to submit reductions of seven percent in January at the beginning of our session for the current fiscal year. For the upcoming fiscal biennium that starts Sept. We can make this reduction work without layoffs if we do not fill several open positions and reduce spending in other areas. So, what does this mean for our Sunset reviews?

Since our schedule of reviews is set by statute, we have little control over how many agencies we review, or the size and difficulty of the agencies chosen. Our adjustments will come in the size of the teams assigned to a review, and therefore the amount of analysis that can be done. To balance that though, undoubtedly we will be working longer hours. I don't believe that legislative expectations will change as to the depth and strength of our recommendations.

Nor will our professional expectations for our own work. At Sunset, we now have a staff of 29, down from We have 24 analysts. For the upcoming biennium, we have 30 agencies set for Sunset review, with all the analytical work conducted in about 16 months before the Legislature returns. While the math doesn't look too good, we will find a way to get the job done.

This summer, we are reviewing our internal methods for conducting reviews, looking at better use of technology, use of standards, and looking at any ways to shorten the process without losing quality. In other words, if we can work a little smarter, perhaps we won't have to put in quite the number of hours necessary to provide expected results with less staff. Since our budget is primarily salaries, savings in other areas provide little impact on the budget.

However, we have made reductions in travel, subscriptions, printing and a few other items. Every little bit helps. In six months to a year, we should know quite a bit more about how the cuts are working and whether they have had impacts on our work and our reports.

Gary VanLandingham , Florida. This was our share of an overall legislative budget reduction plus the suspension of the Sharpening the Pencil school district review program for the year. As a result of the budget reduction it was necessary to reduce our staffing level and expenses. Most of the staffing reduction was accomplished through staff attrition and retirements 6 positions ; however, it was necessary to lay off 4 employees. We are continuing to examine how we can work more efficiently and effectively and be of greater service to the Florida Legislature.

Sylvia Hensley , California. Although California is facing a record deficit, our budget has not been adversely affected.

The meeting will look at the factors impacting the long-term sustainability of the higher education sector, scenarios for and beyond, as well as what the future holds for the sector. According to a report on the USAf website, the meeting will also explore the idea of a stimulus package for the sector. In addition, the budget provides for the shifting of over R1.

He said the key impact of the adjustments would include limitations on the operational budget of the department, particularly with regard to travel, accommodation, venues and related services. He said institutions have reprioritised funds from their block grants and earmarked grants to develop teaching and learning platforms for remote teaching and learning and some would be putting a hold on current approved projects.

Cuts to infrastructure grants would result in postponement of certain projects and a general slowing down of the infrastructure programme, although Nzimande said he was working with the Development Bank of Southern Africa to raise new money from the fiscus and the private sector, especially for student accommodation.

Science in danger Anticipated cuts totalling R This could affect postgraduate and PhD training above and beyond the revised targets set by the department. Fewer NRF beneficiaries The NRF cuts would mean fewer students being funded and a reduction in the numbers of research grants awarded to researchers.

Science engagement projects would also be affected. The NRF said it would not implement budget cuts on active graduate internships, postgraduate student bursaries, postdoctoral fellowships and early career and emerging researchers.

He said while the economy is significantly affected by the COVID pandemic, the science sector is working alongside government in responding to the pandemic. Dr Thulani Dlamini, CEO of the CSIR, told the portfolio committee that reducing its parliamentary grant would significantly impact on its strategic initiatives, and various infrastructure investments would have to be delayed and suspended.

But it will potentially harm the struggling economy, since both public and private sectors benefit from better roads, bridges, schools and water systems and the jobs these projects create. Delaying maintenance also has consequences for the deteriorating infrastructure in the U. The costs of unaddressed repairs could increase future costs. It can cost more to replace a crumbling building than it does to fix one in better repair.

In many states, the new budgets severely cut their aid to local governments, which will lead to large local cuts in education — both K and higher education — as well as social programs, transportation, health care and other areas.

Lacking any of these support services can be devastating to a person, especially in this difficult time. Libraries, which provide services to many communities, from free computer use to after-school programs for children, will have to cut back. They may have fewer workers, be open for fewer hours and not offer as many programs to the public. Parks may not be maintained, broken playground equipment may stay that way, and workers may not repave paths and mow lawns.

Similar cuts to firefighters and ambulance workers may mean poorly equipped responders take longer to arrive on a scene and have less training to deal with the emergency. To keep with developing public safety standards, more maintenance staff and materials will be needed to clean and sanitize schools , courtrooms, auditoriums, correctional facilities , metro stations, buses and other public spaces.

Strained budgets and employees will make it harder to complete these new essential tasks throughout the day.