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Don't use stimulus dollars to avoid tough decisionsBy Bill Huizenga, Section News
(Promoted by Nick... Thanks for checking in, Representative!)
State leaders must learn to prioritize and balance the budget on their own, without outside assistance.
We've been reading in recent days about the poor condition of Michigan's general fund budget, and the plan by Gov. Granholm and some state legislators to use millions of dollars of federal stimulus money to balance the books.
I understand that times are hard, and government is struggling to maintain public services as tax revenues dry up. Given that, there is perhaps some justification for using some stimulus money as an emergency stopgap - this time. But I hope our legislators are cautious, use as little of the federal money as possible, and learn a lesson from this experience. Time will determine whether President Obama's massive stimulus package paves the way for a quick recovery. But the mere size of the stimulus package was frightening to those of us who worry about the staggering national debt. Congressional Republicans said they could have passed a similar package that accomplished the same goals for a fraction of the cost. I tend to believe that's true. The problem is that the stimulus package spends far too much money on non-stimulus items. The money was meant to jump start our economy, create jobs and upgrade the national infrastructure. It was not meant to fill in the gaps of overstretched state budgets. What would our state leaders have done if the stimulus money was not available? The answer is obvious. The state constitution forces them to prepare a balanced budget every year, so they would have prepared a balanced budget. As part of that process, they would have been forced to inspect the long list of state expenses and make some difficult adjustments. American families go through the same process every week, month and year. They consider their income, determine what's most important to purchase, and adjust their spending accordingly. Gov. Granholm and the legislature will be spared somje of that trouble this year, but what about next year, and the year after that? Perhaps the economy will improve in the next year, but enough to generate the tax revenue necessary for the state to meet its current responsibilities? We can't safely assume that. Just like we can't assume there will be another round of massive federal spending, with more money available to keep state governments afloat. At some point our state lawmakers are going to have to face their budget problems, determine their priorities, and balance the books on their own - withour raising taxes. That will probably mean incurring the wrath of some powerful special interests groups with stakes in the current budget. Unpopular budget cuts may also cost a few legislators their jobs when election time rolls around. If that's the case, the banished legislators can pack up and leave Lansing with their heads held high, knowing they served their state well. Michigan's leaders should start planning for tomorrow right now. They must determine what kind of state government the people want, how much it's going to cost, and how it's going to be funded. Until those fundamental questions are answered, the budget crisis in Lansing will remain an annual event, and nothing will ever be resolved. Former State Rep. Bill Huizenga
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