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This blog was the first in the nation created by an editorial board to give readers a behind-the-scenes view of the discussion that goes into crafting the newspaper’s daily editorials. It includes updates on the work of the editorial staff and debates on general news issues. We welcome and read all letters from readers. Letters are selected for publication based on their clarity and brevity. They also are chosen to represent a diverse set of views on as many issues as possible. February 2010
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The candidates for governor have been less than forthcoming about how they would correct Texas' budget shortfall next year. Perhaps they are lacking in details because the state can't get out of its $10 billion to $15 billion budget hole without real pain. As the list of cuts that rolled out of state agencies last week showed, we can't get there without reducing spending on colleges, hospitals, prisons and schools. I don't dispute the need for those cuts, which total about $2.1 billion. Maybe some items on that list don't belong there, but by and large those reductions are the type we must endure. The Legislative Budget Board, which consists of the governor, lieutenant governor, speaker and other members, would be right to approve those they can constitutionally before the 2011 session begins. That way, we can get on with reducing the deficit. But those cuts aren't nearly enough to balance the budget. We must find savings elsewhere. As interim committees work on this problem, they should pursue this strategy: Borrow from the Rainy Day Fund. It has about $8 billion in it, and there is no reason not to borrow several billion from it. The state's in a jam. Use it. Close tax loopholes that no longer are justified. For example, the state could gain up to $425 million by discontinuing the practice of giving businesses a discount if they pay their state taxes on time. The state started offering the incentive when taxes involved lots of paperwork. In our electronic age, big businesses particularly are capable of filing on time. Here's another example: Group homes for the mentally disabled must pay a "quality assurance" fee, but not hospitals. By putting a one percent quality fee on hospitals for their services, the state could reap $350 million. Pursue more budget cuts. For example, we spend $3 billion on health care for state employees. Ask those making over a certain amount of money to pay a higher portion of their health care premiums. Here's another idea: Freeze the capital budgets of selected agencies. That could yield a big chunk of change. We are still nine months away from the start of the 2011 Legislature, so maybe the budget picture will look better by then. I sure hope so. Meanwhile, here's a three-legged approach to balancing the budget. We will need all these legs to get out of trouble. CommentsE-mail entry: |
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On Tuesday morning, a small group of protesters gathered at the Governor's Mansion for what was billed as a "support rally" for Gov. Rick Perry, under the theme, "It's OK to Be Gay."
Interesting title. Usually "three legged stool" means to add income tax to the existing sales and property taxes.
Maybe people should take care of themselves and their families rather than relying on taxpayers to assume that duty.