BANGOR, Maine (NEWS CENTER) --- With a new state budget now passed many towns, cities and organizations around Maine are realizing what potentially millions of dollars in cuts will mean for them.  

In Bangor, officials say they expect to be reimbursed about $2.5  million from the state in the coming year which would cover most of what the city spends on general assistance to help the very poor.

It now appears the city will only have to make up about $100,000 in costs.

However, statewide, programs like Head Start are expected to take a big hit. The children's startup program is expected to lose about $2 million in state funding. Officials with "Penquis Head Start" say that means they'll be forced to accept 33 fewer children next year.

"We've gone down to the minimum number of hours...the minimum number of weeks...the minimum number of days," said Jean Bridges, who is the director for Penquis Child Development, "and in this instance where I've had to cut three managers...I'm leaving the direct service stall alone as much as I can to this point...and I'm cutting some of the things that really allow us to focus on quality."

Bangor is working with a budget of more than $3 million dollars for general assistance this year. City leaders will be meeting Thursday evening to discuss how to close the gap in state funding.

NEWS CENTER