State Budgets
By bobmnu
@bobmnu (8157)
United States
October 20, 2009 1:10pm CST
As states are working on their budgets and find that they are over budget. Their answer is to raise taxes. Why do they never think to reduce spending . I have a few suggestions:
1. Cut the Government staff of elected officials.
2. Take a flat 10% reduction in all State Departments.
What do you think states should do to balance the budget? If it is to raise taxes indicate which taxes.
2 responses
@spalladino (17891)
• United States
20 Oct 09
There was a LOT of fighting over Florida's budget this year. With every government program slated for the chopping block (example: the Road Rangers who provide emergency road services) or a reduction, there were groups protesting, writing Op-Eds, calling and sending emails. Our state has been particularly hard hit by the real estate crisis...property taxes were already through the roof due to the extreme rise in property values which has caused some of our citizens, especially those living on fixed incomes, to face losing their homes. So, raising them was out of the question and, in fact, they've been rolled back to a previous year's rate for those of us who have owned our homes longer than 3 years while using the current rate for newer residents. But, all is not well here. They raised the cost of getting your driver's license, tag, title, etc. Other surcharges have increased as well. I agree with you, it would be nice to see our state government cut spending instead. I would also like to see them tell Florida Power and Light "NO!" for once instead of letting them cause everyone's utility bills to continue to increase year after year.
@bobmnu (8157)
• United States
21 Oct 09
Maybe the lawmakers should start by reading the state constitution and funding only those things clearly required the state to do. Where does the state have the right to fund The Road Rangers?
The state should start with the previous years tax revenue and build the budget with in that frame work instead of building the budget and then raise the taxes to meet the budget.
@spalladino (17891)
• United States
21 Oct 09
Actually, Bob, the Road Rangers got some of their funding back so they're still out there but with more limited hours. I, personally, didn't care about that issue since I don't normally travel on my state's many highways but the folks who do...as well as the Florida State Police...raised hell. They want assistance to arrive quickly following an accident or breakdown and the FSP can't respond as fast. In a perfect world, state budgets would work like you said, but it's not a perfect world. Florida's tax revenues are down across the board while the need for services continues to rise.
@lilwonders456 (8214)
• United States
21 Oct 09
Because it would be common sense to cut spending....and why have to cut back on what you spend if you can just take more money from other people to pay for what they want.
While the rest of us have to cut back our spending due to the economy and then cut back on our spending again due to increased taxes.
