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News-Sentinel.com Your Town. Your Voice.
Opening Arguments

State of crisis

As much as we (me included) carp about state officials, it has to be acknowledged how much better off our state is than most. California is getting the most negative press, but at least 39 states have imposed cuts that hurt vulnerable residents, and several sstates have imposed tax increases. And the crisis wasn't exactly unforseeable:

For years, most states have spent like there's no tomorrow, and now tomorrow is here. They bring to mind the lament of Mickey Mantle, who said, "If I knew I was going to live this long, I'd have taken better care of myself."

If they had known the revenue flood wasn't a permanent fact of life, governors and legislators might have prepared for drought. Instead, like overstretched homeowners, they took on obligations they could meet only in the best-case scenario—which is not what has come to pass.

[. . .]

Overall, the average person's state tax burden has risen by 42 percent since 1999—nearly 50 percent beyond what the state would have needed just to keep spending constant, with allowances for inflation.

We lived beyond our means here, too, The current adminsitration had to wipe out a deficit before it did anything else. And

Comments

Bob G.
Thu, 07/30/2009 - 11:28am

Leo:
In CA, it's not even about them (government) staying above water...that state stuck it's foot firmly in the FILTER INLET!

;)

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