Idaho budget fix is beyond simple reform
Murf Raquet
October 16, 2009
Moscow-Pullman Daily News
A grave financial picture facing the state was painted for Idaho lawmakers Wednesday.
Cathy Holland-Smith, the legislative budget director, told members of the Senate and House Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee what they already knew - the state has a projected budget shortfall of at least $151 million.
Nothing new in that figure. Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter has ordered statewide holdbacks to trim the shortfall by more than $100 million.
Now, lawmakers need to make up the difference of more than $40 million. Not an easy task when budgets have been picked clean with past cuts.
JFAC members meet in the fall to discuss the state's financial picture. The committee is the legislature's clearing house for all bills that involve money.
The 2010 session looks to be a tough one when it comes to budgeting.
We hope JFAC and the other legislators are up to the task. Idaho doesn't need another do-nothing session. It will be interesting, because they are all up for election after the session ends.
Basically, the Legislature has three ways it can approach the budget. It can slash, raise taxes and fees, or a little of both.
None of the options will be universally accepted.
Budget cuts are likely to hurt just about everything, especially entitlement programs and education.
Raising fees and taxes is never popular no matter the reason. In a bad economy it's even worse.
Cutting a little while increasing the revenue stream may seem the least offensive of the options, but constituents probably won't be smiling.
We wouldn't be witnessing the hand-wringing and doom-saying around the state if the answers were easy.
State officials are tossing out words like "horrible" and "painful" when describing the budget mess.
They're right. The next budget process will be like no other in its effect on Idaho residents and businesses.
Last year was only a warm up by comparison.
We've said it before and we'll say it again - lawmakers need to step up and make the hard decisions and not just occupy space in Boise.
Originally posted at http://www.dnews.com//story/opinion/45814/
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