Delaware budget writers began task of trimming spending

Members of the legislature’s budget-writing committee have begun whittling away at Delaware’s spending as they work toward a balanced budget for the fiscal year starting July 1.

The Joint Finance Committee on Tuesday worked its way through some $33 million in proposed cuts, a fraction of the roughly $240 million they may need to cut if lawmakers can’t agree on revenue and fee increases other than hiking corporate franchise taxes paid mostly by out-of-state companies.

Among the cuts approved by the committee Tuesday were funding reductions for legal services for the poor, tourist attractions and events, arts programs and international trade.

Few of the cuts involved laying off workers, but panel members frequently expressed heartburn about having to reduce state spending, particularly for some health and social service programs.