Posted on 03/31/2010 10:27:49 AM PDT by Graybeard58
A lot of people got worked up last week when radical Democrats on the legislature's Appropriations Committee flipped off the financially struggling people of Connecticut by proposing a record $19.3 billion budget for next year.
The public alarm seemed justified since that budget would increase spending by another $345 million, even though next year's budget already spends $726 million more than it takes in, and this year's is $518 million in the red. Moreover, the projected deficits for fiscal years beginning in 2011-12 are underestimated at $3.9 billion, $3.8 billion and $3.8 billion. Further record deficits are expected beyond that; the state just hasn't projected them officially.
As if the Democrats' numbers weren't insane enough, their budget also proposes freeing lots of prisoners because Connecticut's cities aren't dangerous enough; reimposing the gross-receipts tax on hospitals because they aren't going broke fast enough; lavishing more money on more nontaxpayers because Connecticut isn't attractive enough to tax-eaters; and hiring more state marshals because the state doesn't have enough patronage jobs.
There's much more not to like about the House Democrats' budget, but it's merely their initial counteroffer to Gov. M. Jodi Rell's proposed adjustments to next year's $18.9 billion budget. Senate Democrats are crafting their own proposal, but in the end, the coming negotiations likely will conclude as they did last year: After much posturing, Gov. Rell and lawmakers will agree to borrow to cover most of the current deficit, and then use accounting tricks and phantom revenues and savings to give the appearance they have balanced next year's budget.
This is not to say the House Democrats' budget doesn't contain frightening political and fiscal implications. For more than two years, Democrats dithered and obstructed to create today's full-blown fiscal crisis. Having succeeded in laying the groundwork for massive tax increases, House Democrats especially are steeling themselves against any spending reductions. Democrats want a more steeply progressive income tax, but also a broader the sales tax; exemptions on groceries, medications and clothing costing less than $50 appear safe — for now.
But Connecticut doesn't have enough rich people (alive or recently deceased), business people, drinkers and smokers to make up for $13 billion worth of deficits. One day, the Democrats will have to come clean about their intention to impose record tax increases on everyone who has tax liabilities so they may continue to mollycoddle unionized government employees, expand the vast state social-service network and otherwise pile more socialism on the unsuspecting people of Connecticut.
But that day of candor won't come until Nov. 3 or later, by which time they expect to have a Democratic governor and won't need to hold together veto-proof majorities to enact their radical agenda; the barest majority will do. The House Democrats' budget, then, clears up any confusion over what voters must do on Election Day.
Feces inhabit every level of this country’s government. See you in November.
ever notice that the only people unaffected by the recession are the welfare class? they won’t be fired, nor will their ‘pay’ decrease.
*ping*
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.