When past legislatures have passed budgets exceeding Gov. Mike Rounds’ proposals, he has worked with them.

This year, he said he’s not going to be so accommodating.

Rounds said Friday he won’t tolerate a budget which spends more of the state’s reserves than the $32 million he is proposing to use.

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“I cannot allow them to spend more money,” Rounds said. “I know that they’re talking about making cuts, but they’re also talking now about adding back in more money for K-12 (education), adding back more money to further increase property tax reductions — which is noble, but they have to have the money to do this.”

Rounds stopped short of promising to veto excessive spending but said he is keeping his options open.

“There is always the possibility of a veto,” Rounds said.

The governor also said he believes it will be difficult for legislators to find additional cuts. Many legislative leaders have called for additional cuts to avoid drawing on reserve funds this year.

“We spent about four months trying to find a way to get to zero (deficit) while at the same time maintaining services that are critical,” Rounds said. “We’ll look forward to working with them to find those services they believe that they can cut.”

Instead, Rounds said if legislators want to increase spending they should increase revenue to pay for it.

“If you increase funding for K-12, you have to also recognize that comes with an increase in property taxes as well,” he said.

The governor also reiterated his opposition to across-the-board spending cuts.

“Very broad-based suggestions of across-the-board cuts have serious consequences,” Rounds said. “We will insist that their plans are specific and that they recognize that we’re doing the best we can to provide them with the best estimates possible.”