Governor’s office optimistic about 2021 state budget

Gov. Steve Bullock said during a Wednesday call with the press he believes the state will remain “financially strong” coming out of the COVID-19 pandemic, and that the state is in a better financial position than most other states.

The governor said his office is predicting the state’s general fund balance will be $113 million in June 2021. The state entered the fiscal year 2020 with a “historically strong” balance of $360 million in the general fund.

Bullock called the predicted balance “manageable” and said he is “optimistic we are responsibly opening up our economy” after lifting the state’s stay-at-home order.

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