March 25th, 2010
As the session comes to a close in the next few days, the numbers become clearer about what the States budget will show. Its looks like a pilfered Castle, with nothing left but the structure itself.
2009 spending = $5,959 Billion
2010 spending = $5,300 Billion
2011 spending = $5,296 Billion (Proposed)
When you look at these budgets, you will see no real reductions in spending. This is an actual picture. What’s disappointing is that cuts are made to one program so another program can be created. Don’t be fooled, all these across the board cuts have not actually cut the budget, it simply redistributed the funds.
The problem lies in where the money is coming from this year. No spending reduction, so the money needs to be stolen from somewhere. Below is the pots where the money is coming from for the 2011 budget!
Federal stimulus dollars (one-time money) = $328 million
Emergency State government funds = $258 million
Other one time pots of money = $ 97 million
$683 Million of one time spending
Where do we find the money next year? The Democrats passed a budget that continues to spend without cutting, however, it cuts K-12 education by $167 million, and puts the money in other places in government. This is a clear picture of government priority.
Whoever is in control next session, the one-time money is gone, and the reckless spending will meet reality after the November election.
This is a very sad commentary on government and policy makers!
