Appropriations staff say preliminary maintenance outlook shows $6.7 billion NGFO shortfall in later outlook period

Mary Monroe, operating budget coordinator for the House Appropriations Committee’s Office of Program Research, told the committee that a preliminary maintenance‑level projection shows a negative $6,700,000,000 near‑general‑fund‑outlook (NGFO) balance by the end of the 2027–29 outlook period.

The projection, Monroe said, covers maintenance‑level costs only — obligations staff consider required to continue current programs — and does not include policy‑level additions such as program expansions or new collective bargaining agreements. “Our analysis shows a very preliminary maintenance level problem statement of negative 6,700,000,000 NGFO, before any policy level items are assumed,” Monroe said.

The figure follows staff estimates that the state’s three‑budget system holds more than $173,000,000,000 in total funds for…