February 6, 2009
Let Them Take the Blame for the Bad
The misguided revenue boosters were the weak spot of the governor's supplemental budget. Of course, they'll probably be the one proposal that the General Assembly passes swiftly:
Smith Hill lawmakers are poised for a vote today on the revenue-raising pieces of Governor Carcieri's $357-million deficit-reduction plan — including a proposed $1 cigarette tax hike.But they are likely to do so without support from Carcieri's Republican allies in the House, who say they tried unsuccessfully to dissuade the governor from including the increases in his deficit-closing plan, and are now doubly unhappy that House Democrats are trying to move $23.8 million in tax and fee hikes along without any of accompanying budget cuts the governor proposed.
As I've said before, if the legislature makes more than just cursory changes, Governor Carcieri ought to loudly and frequently wash his hands of the budget, saying that it's not his doing.
I for one plan on emailing my local representatives and government leaders to inquire why it's so difficult for them to make necessary cuts. Everyone is expected to live within their means, it's high time our General Assembly does as well. I would recommend others follow suit because the outrage is practically tangible and they need to be 100% aware of it.
Posted by: Steve A. at February 6, 2009 2:35 PMThe Governor should submit a NH-like budget, eliminating the income tax and/or sales tax, with appropriate reductions in state spending to balance the budget.
Then go around the state pounding the table with talking points showing how much each individual and household would save a year under his plan.
Then let the General Assembly restore spending to the level it and its union bosses and poverty princesses want.
Then let the public decide if the Democrats are really the party of "working families."
Posted by: Tom W at February 6, 2009 2:38 PMSteve,
You had better hurry up & get as many of your like minded friends do the same because I can tell you that the opposite view is being VERY heavily pushed.
No doubt it is, Jay. It's a matter of professional interest for the organizations that have dragged this state into the dirt to make a lot of noise.
Any legislator who cannot see the detriment of acceding to the demands of the lobbying machine that's been built (largely with public funds) is morally and intellectually bankrupt.
Posted by: Justin Katz at February 6, 2009 6:00 PMHe BETTER veto this farce or I am washing my hands of him.
As part of a package these are things we can swallow. As a stand-alone-no way.
Just remember that a veto is really irrelevant. There are only 6 Republicans there. There's no such thing as a veto right now.
Posted by: Patrick at February 6, 2009 9:21 PM>Just remember that a veto is really irrelevant. There are only 6 Republicans there. There's no such thing as a veto right now.
Yep.
All the more reason to submit a true reform budget - one that's good for the average citizens in the producing class instead of the special interests in the public union and welfare class.
And then let the Democrat General Assembly revert to business as usual.
If you can't change them, might as well flush them out and expose them for the world to see.
Posted by: Tom W at February 6, 2009 9:33 PM