AMARILLO, TEXAS -- State agencies, already facing a ten percent budget cut, were informed Tuesday of another 2.5 percent to make up for revenue shortfalls. As legislators head to Austin in January, the budget will be their top item, and with the potential for cuts looming, local agencies are bracing for those cuts.
However, the constitution protects certain education cuts, according to local State Representative Warren Chisum.
"We have some that are constitutionally and you can cut the constitutional ones you have to do such as public education you still have to put money in there and you can't cut it much but some of the others we have to cut because they're optional on our part," said Chisum.
Some of those optional programs provide after school services like Big Brothers, Big Sisters their mentoring program could be cut.
"It's hard to make those cuts on the backs of children, the children are our future and we need to provide the services necessary to make sure that they grow up to be educated and productive adults," said Emily Nance, Executive Director Big Brothers, Big Sisters.
Other programs fearing cuts like Family Support Services say they won't go down without a fight.
"Support United Way to make your voice heard with your legislators, help them remember the families in need, need these programs and to not reduce that type of funding," said Janet Byars, Executive Director Family Support Services.
The need for programs that serve our community.
Chisum went on to say, "We understand the fact that we have to serve our youth, keep them out of trouble and keep them out of things they shouldn't be getting into and these are the best ways to do it, because you have a lot of community help to make it happen."
What will happen will be up to legislators come January.
