State government needs efficiency, not more taxes
The Standard applauds Gov. Phil Bredesen for having the courage to propose a state budget unlike any other during the last decade. That’s because, for the first time in 10 years, the proposed budget actually reduces government spending.
Why that’s so vital to Tennesseans is it means no new taxes. And we’re confident that’s something which appeals to everyone.
In delivering his proposed budget to state legislators Monday night, Bredesen said the state must keep an eye on its financial obligations much like a normal family.
“We need to figure out how much money we have coming in,” said Bredesen, “and then plan to spend that much and no more. This is our family budget.”
It’s been said that government is like a hungry gorilla. It will feast on all the taxpayer dollars tossed in its cage, no matter the amount. Last year’s budget, which included the largest tax increase in Tennessee history, is proof of that fact.
On the heels of that tax increase, and facing an economy still sinking in quicksand, we can’t afford to keep tossing the government tax dollars like afternoon snacks. State agencies can figure out how to operate more efficiently while Tennessee battles through these tough economic times.
The truly unfortunate aspect to these budget cuts is jobs will be lost. Some 200 state workers will lose their jobs and another 650 open positions will remain unfilled. When people – and families – are affected in such a way, there’s always the tendency to resort to second guessing.
In this case, those jobs are some of the hard decisions which must be made because Gov. Bredesen’s budget is clearly on course with Tennessee’s needs.
Taxpayers don’t need to continue throwing money into government agencies which aren’t operating as efficiently as possible. It’s time for the state to evaluate its departments, tighten its belt so to speak, and give Tennesseans the best possible service for their tax dollars.