THE STATE IS GIVING SULLIVAN COUNTY UNTIL THE FIRST OF OCTOBER TO SUBMIT AN APPROVED 2008-2009 FISCAL YEAR BUDGET OR STATE FUNDING WILL BE CUT. THE SULLIVAN COUNTY COMMISSION’S BUDGET COMMITTEE VOTED YESTERDAY TO CONTINUE BUDGET TALKS THAT BEGAN SIX WEEKS AGO. THE FULL COMMISSION WILL LIKELY HAVE TO SCHEDULE IT’S OWN CALLED MEETING SOMETIME BEFORE THE END OF SEPTEMBER TO PREVENT STATE EDUCATION DOLLARS FROM BEING WITHHELD. STATE LAW REQUIRES PUBLICATION OF THE BUDGET IN THE NEWSPAPER AT LEAST 10 DAYS PRIOR TO A VOTE. A PUBLIC HEARING IS ALSO REQUIRED.