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Same thing in Arkansas. They taxed us to death due to a crisis, and then suddenly found they had more money than originally thought. Wallet suckers have no problem funding themselves during economic slowdowns.

Tuesday, February 4, 2003
Taft wants to boost spending 10 percent

By Debra Jasper and Spencer Hunt Enquirer Columbus Bureau

COLUMBUS - Gov. Bob Taft on Monday proposed a 10 percent increase in state spending that directs millions of dollars in new taxes and funds from budget cuts to schools, universities and Medicaid.

In the face of at least a $4 billion deficit, the governor's proposal freezes state workers' pay, calls for more layoffs and would shut several state offices and programs.

WINNERS & LOSERS
Who wins, who loses
in Taft budget

Despite these cost-cutting steps, Taft's budget would still increase state spending by $4.6 billionover the next two years, from $44.6 billion to $49.2 billion.

To come up with the money, Taft wants lawmakers to approve more than $3 billion in new taxes on cigarettes, alcohol, businesses, and on a long list of new services, including cable TV, real estate commissions, dry-cleaned shirts - even tattoos.

If lawmakers balk at enacting all those new taxes - and many already are critical of the plan - the governor on Monday repeated his threat to make deep cuts in spending on schools, higher education, state parks, local governments, prisons and the elderly.

If he keeps going on this way he will not be in office for much longer.

Taft may be a bit less conservative that we would all like, but keep in mind the DemocRAT Minority Leader Chris Redfern made the following statement:"the extra money, while small in terms of the overall budget, could have been spent on needed programs." Why the rush to SPEND the surplus???? If and I mean IF the new taxes are to shore up the rainy day fund, well I don't like it, I can accept it. Also, why did state spending increase 5%???? I sure as heck didn't get a 5% raise and I know inflation is no where near 5%. All those supposed "needed" BS DemocRAT social programs need to be cut or eliminated. It looks like 99% of the surplus is a result of a federal stimulus package not "found money".