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• Flu guidelines changing rapidly
• Doyle: Budget deficit requires more cuts
• UPDATE: Wisconsin reports 233 confirmed cases of H1N1 flu

In a press conference at 2 p.m. Thursday (May 7), Governor Jim Doyle has announced more cuts in the state budget.

The state is facing a budget shortfall in the midst of the national economic crisis. The Legislative Fiscal Bureau next week is expected to release figures that could show a deficit reaching $1.5 billion.

"What we all know is that reckless behavior on Wall Street - behavior that we've never embraced in Wisconsin - continues its negative effects through our state, our nation and now, the world," Doyle said. "Everyone is paying the price and suffering on some level. Here in Wisconsin we are facing tougher choices than ever about what level of state services we can sustain at a time when people need them most. I am fighting to protect the middle class, education, public safety and health care. These are my priorities. I don't believe that we as a state will ever move forward unless we protect what is really important."

Doyle said he's taking steps to address the problem.

He will not propose new taxes.

Doyle's budget already freezes pay and requires state employees to contribute more to retirement and health insurance. Today he said he will roll back 2 percent pay increases that were to be effective in June.

All state employees, including those in the Governor's office, will be subject to furloughs of eight days per year. The Governor cannot be furloughed, so he will return pay for eight days per year to the state.

Governor Doyle said deeper cuts to state government spending will reach at least 5 percent.

He is also directing all agencies to review all service contracts to reduce personnel costs.

Thursday's update on the spread of the H1N1 flu virus shows 233 cases have been confirmed, with 35 additional probable cases.

The vast majority of cases are in the Milwaukee area. There is one confirmed case in Polk County and one in Dunn County.

A public health emergency remains in effect in Wisconsin in response to the presence of Influenza A (H1N1) in the state. The Wisconsin Department of Health Services and its many partners continue the aggressive response to an expanding outbreak caused by H1N1 flu.

The state's primary goals are to:

Reduce transmission and illness severity.

Provide information to help public health officials, health care providers, state and local officials, and the public understand and take steps to address this emergency.

The World Health Organization has maintained its pandemic alert at Level 5, its second-highest level. Level 6 indicates a full scale pandemic. Level 5 means all countries should be activating their pandemic preparedness plans. CDC maintains its advisory on travel to Mexico-- recommends postponement of nonessential travel.

According to the Center for Disease Control, there are now 896 laboratory-confirmed cases in the U.S. in 41 states.

Two H1N1-related deaths in the U.S. have been reported; both occurred in Texas.