Journal pudge's Journal: Gregoire: Beyond Belief 6
Governor Gregoire said this week, in backing a new bond measure, that "it
So we do what you say and when the next downturn comes, we'll be ready for it, eh? That sounds familiar. Perhaps like something she said just three years ago.
Our state budgeting has been like a roller coaster. We spend when we have a surplus and we struggle to make painful cuts when the economy slumps. It's time we even out the road. When the roller coaster, while it's fun at an amusement park, it is no place and no model for state budgeting. By treating our budget like a family's budget, we will ensure stability, we will avoid tax increases, and we will avoid Draconian cuts.
Not for nothing, but how's that working out for you? It seems to me -- tell me if I'm wrong here, because that would be really funny -- that what she said we should not do in her State of the State Address in 2006, is precisely what she and the Democrats in the legislature did for her first four years in office. We had big spending with the surplus (33 percent increase), and now we face tax increases or Draconian cuts.
Even as recently as a year ago, Gregoire had the gall to say that this was actually working:
Just like families, we are making wise investments for the future and we are saving for the less prosperous times. For too long state government has spent in the good times, and then made painful cuts when our economy would slow. We're getting off that roller coaster, and we're making progress.
Anything she says about preparing us better for the future that does not actually significantly curb the growth in spending -- not just now, but for the future -- is beyond belief.
Cross-posted on <pudge/*>.
Your governor isn't as bad as mine (Score:2)
The one we elected was the first Illinois Governor in history to be impeached and removed from office. The new guy that took his place wants to raise the income tax, cigarette tax, and a bunch of other taxes. That's a really good move in a recession, isn't it?
I forsee a Republican Illinois Governor after the next election - or I would if it weren't for Chicago. I don't see Illinois' economy improving any time soon.
Re: (Score:2)
Re: (Score:2)
After Governor Walker (D) went to prison, Jim Thompson (R) was governor for (iirc) 16 years, followed by Edgar (R), followed by Ryan (R, incarcerated) followed by Blago (D, indicted). I think the only chance the Republicans have of getting the statehouse back is if Blago goes to prison. That's a good bet, but I wouldn't bet on the next Governor being Republican, although I think it would be a good bet that Quinn won't be nominated.
Re: (Score:2)
cigarette tax
Ah, vice taxes. My favorite kind. Where would we be if it wasn't for governmental polices that seek to "correct" behavior?
What I find absolutely fascinating is all the people who want to tax cigarettes, alcohol, fatty foods, etc. They say, "We'd like to curb that behavior & taxing this will help reduce it." I say, "So what happens when you tax income? Profits? Other things that we want to encourage, not discourage?" They say, "????"
Re: (Score:2)
J'ever notice... (Score:1)
...that to Liberals, "cuts" are only ever "Draconian cuts"? Seriously, they should just trademark the phrase. Or petition dictionaries to hypenate it and include it as a single word, since they're always used together. For it's definition, Webster could have "to Liberals, any kind of cut, in anything having to do with govt., including even non-cuts but actual increases that are just less than a previous year's increases". Roget's could have just "wah".