Legislative Fiscal Office briefs Human Services subcommittee on budget process, Medicaid exposure and program priorities

The Legislative Fiscal Office (LFO) gave an informational orientation to the Joint Subcommittee on Human Services, outlining the state budget process, fund types and issues likely to shape human services spending in the 2025 session.

LFO analyst Gregory Jolivett, who introduced himself as the subcommittee coordinator, led the presentation and described the office as a long-standing, nonpartisan budget staff that prepares fiscal impact statements and budget recommendations for the legislature. "My name is Gregory Jolivett for the record. I am your subcommittee coordinator," Jolivett said. He told members the session materials and the LFO budget review documents are posted on OLIS for members’ review ahead of agency presentations.

The memo and presentation explained the four fund types used in state budgeting — general, lottery, other and federal funds — and the biannual budget cycle. Jolivett stressed that the human services program area is large and driven by caseloads, demographics and federal policy. "Medicaid is a very significant source of funds for our program…