From this week’s Pritchard’s Report
The Governor does not want to balance the state budget by making significant choices in government spending so he has been using “the sky-is-falling” scare tactic to frighten citizens and providers. He sent letters to most providers late last week identifying programs he plans to cut in hopes that providers and their clients will pressure legislators to support a tax increase….
Many citizens have asked what efficiencies and cost-savings might be made in state government agencies and programs. Two reports were issued recently that clearly point out where to start tightening the belt.
The Governor’s Taxpayer Action Board, appointed to find efficiencies and cost-savings, issued its suggestions this past week after two-months of study. The findings are focused on eight areas and conclude where to start cutting as well as the need for program audits to determine what programs actually accomplish. The recommendations should make the Governor want to retract his statement that he can’t find any areas in the budget to cut. The full report is available at GO TO SITE
The Illinois Policy Institute also issued a white paper on cost-cutting reforms this spring that is full of even more efficiency and cost cutting ideas. While we may not agree with every suggestion, many are no-brainers and should be implemented immediately. The Institute concludes its paper by saying “Tax increases are a choice, not a necessity. State leaders do not need to increase taxes to balance the state’s budget.”
You can read the report “Budget Solutions 2010” at GO TO SITE
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2 Comments
Sound familiar? I have had a problem with paying so much for consultant reports for a long time. How many times over the years have we paid for a consultant to see what to do with Downtown DeKalb, then only have enough money left to put up another awning?
Now, however, in this economic crisis, if we are going to pay for these consultant studies, and they are coming up with some good suggestions (that don't even involve raising taxes) WHY aren't we listening to them?
IMO either we quit paying for consultant studies or we hold our elected officials to actually following the suggestions of those consultants.
I understand that the City of DeKalb will need another year to make the massive changes suggested in the EPI report. But then WHY is the City Manager asking the Council to agree to a 5 year plan now, BEFORE the report has been discussed??
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I have had three separate conversations within the past week with Simpson, Baker, and Polvson, and all three said they are looking at the EPI report and implementing changes. They will be looking at the report more closely and more changes will come. We'll see. I don't know if this is in the EPI report, but I already don't like the change in health care premiums they want to enforce. I agree they need to cut back, but I don't like the idea of someone making $30K paying the same as someone making $140K, especially when premiums are rising every year. Every American deserves affordable health care.