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Opening Arguments

Deficit's gone, let's spend!

OK, Indiana is back in the black. But, as even the governor acknowledges, that was not achieved without a gimmick or two:

Daniels warned that the state still has work to do. Most notably, it still owes more than $600 million in back payments to universities, public schools and local governments. Those payments were delayed to help lawmakers save money in past years, and only a fraction of the revenue has been repaid.

So I'm not sure this is the first thing the state should be doing:

Indiana's finances are in the black for the first time in three years, which could open the door for a state-financed full-day kindergarten program, Gov. Mitch Daniels said Tuesday.

Hey, we're out of  the hole, so let's start a new $150 million a year (at least) program! Isn't that the kind of thinking that put us in hole in the first place?

Comments

Bob G.
Wed, 07/12/2006 - 4:33am

Leo:

Don't put the cart before the horse.

WE FIRST have to CREATE a WHOLE bunch of TASK FORCES (complete with outside consulting firms) to even SEE what kind of money-wasting projects are even able to be attempted (let alone completed).

THEN (and only then), can we get to the REAL "meat & potatoes"...namely getting back INTO hock with gusto!

...Or we could just LEASE something else out...like our state LEGISLATORS!

((LMAO!!))

B.G.

Mike Sylvester
Wed, 07/12/2006 - 6:21am

Mitch Daniels is a typical Republican. He talks about being a fiscal conservative and being responsible all the time, especially when running for election.

The Republican Party is another LARGE government Party.

Here is what should happen now that Indiana is finally in the black:

1. Indiana must pay back the 600 million it owes to the various pension funds, universities, public schools, etc. that it robbed in the past. This must be done at once with the necessary interest.
2. Once this money is paid back then our Legislators need to decide whether to cut taxes or increase spending. I am certainly in favor of cutting taxes...

Mitch Daniels is no fiscal conservative...

Mike Sylvester
Fort Wayne Libertarian

Jeff Pruitt
Wed, 07/12/2006 - 11:17am

Forgive me if I laugh when Mitch Daniels talks about budgets - he lacks a little credibility:

"Well, the Office of Management and Budget , has come up come up with a number that's something under $50 billion for the cost." - Donald Rumsfeld discussing the estimated cost of the Iraq war

Mike Kole
Fri, 07/14/2006 - 3:16am

Tax & spend Republicans at work. If they would only cut the budget by a measly 1%, we could start talking about a tax cut, too.

Why Rs & Ds are both in such a hurry to expand the warehousing of children is beyond me. The last thing a 5- or 6-year-old needs is more time in a classroom. Give them time to be kids- to daydream, to play, and to le ttheir imaginations run wild.

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