AUGUSTA -- Gov. John Baldacci announced today that he will immediately reduce his office budget by 10 percent in preparation for a potential revenue downturn for the current fiscal year, according to his press office.

The reductions will continue for the 2010-2011 biennial budget, which will be presented to the Legislature in January.

"We are asking every State department and agency to plan for considerable cuts in their budgets," Baldacci said in a statement. "These cuts will touch families and businesses throughout Maine. As Mainers are forced to deal with a terrible national economy, it's important for government to show that it is willing to do the same thing."

The governor will be cutting positions and will make other reductions in spending within his office.

In addition, the governor has directed the Department of Administrative and Financial Services to begin the preliminary work on a potential curtailment, and to further tighten controls on state travel and hiring.

In September, Governor Baldacci directed all state agencies and departments to make contingency plans for a possible 10 percent reduction in their budgets for 2010-2011, which will take effect July 1, 2009. The Governor is implementing his cuts immediately.