The State’s Operating Budget

This week, the Republican-led legislature tackled the tough business of crafting the Fiscal Year 2014 operating budget.  I cannot expound enough how incredibly important this component of our jobs is.  In fact, it is the only constitutional duty that we, as elected members of the legislature, are required to perform.  The talk in Washington has been, of late, to try and convince Senate Majority Democrats to at least propose a budget, which they finally have, after over four years.  Here in Jefferson City, we do things differently.  For the last ten years, the Republican lead General Assembly has consistently and annually passed a true, balanced budget, every single year.  But, why is this so important?

You do not have to listen to the news too long to hear of some sort of new abuse on the part of some politician somewhere.  Recently, it was revealed that a county administrator in the state of California would be making nearly $500,000 a year in public money in retirement.  This is an example of blatant taxpayer abuse.  If your government asks a dollar from you, it should do so with the utmost care and then appropriate it only to fund those activities which are worthy of that request.

 

Taxpayers in this state contribute more than $7 billion to help finance noble goals like public education, economic advancement, and public safety.  Your Republican-led legislature takes the duty of being fiscally prudent incredibly seriously.  We have made it a priority to spend wisely, rein in spending on wasteful activities (even when those cuts are politically challenging), and help fund only what is necessary. 

 

It is easy to make the argument that the government should make certain promises at taxpayer expense – the left often does this to try and convince you that we do not already allocate enough funds aimed at helping the less fortunate.  But governments that have followed the “make promises now and worry about balancing the budget later” approach wind up like Illinois and California: essentially bankrupt, billions of dollars in debt, unable to reimburse Medicaid providers or provide essential services and with no responsible plan except “make the rich pay their fair share” (as if 50% or more of someone’s income is not enough).  I refuse to do that as a public servant.  I will not sell out your children’s future opportunities or diminish their potential for a political promise today.  And that is why balanced budgets are important.