Curmudgeon's Corner
cur-mud-geon: anyone who hates hypocrisy and pretense and has the temerity to say so; anyone with the habit of pointing out unpleasant facts in an engaging and humorous manner
$5 Billion? From Whom Will That Come?
A few short weeks ago, our governor mentioned that we would be contending with as much as a $3 billion budget shortfall in the next biennium.
A few days ago, that number was escalated to as much as $4 billion. At that time, the governor was quoted as saying that he would do everything possible to avoid having to increase taxes.
Today, we appear to be staring a $5 billion budget shortfall in the eye, and, while he says he will do everything possible to avoid tax increases, there is some mention of income tax and sales tax.
I am reminded of that age old 'frog in the water' story. We're the frog and the State of Wisconsin is the water and the elected masses will prove to be the hand that turns the heat up so that we boil under the strain of tax increases.
In the intervening few weeks, there has been no talk about how the budget can be cut to accomplish the magic 'balancing' act. The state budget has been rigged for this failure for awhile. Handy dandy accounting games have been used to continually push a significant shortfall into the next biennium in order to help "balance" the current biennium.
That and the use of funds 'stolen' from every little rainy day money pot the governor could find have, to mix metaphors, kept the wolf from the door; but the 'big, bad wolf' has just huffed and puffed and the door is about to cave in on top of us taxpayers.
There is no other money available. There are only budgetary cuts or tax and fee increases. Guess which will be used to get the majority of the shortfall covered. Oh, there will be some marginal cuts for our consumption but nothing even approaching what is required.
What will they cut? Education? Are you joking? The new health care program they're trying to foist on us? Are you joking?
I'm sorry to tell you that I think we all better buckle our chinstraps; we've a rough ride ahead and the Democrats are in control. They haven't been too anxious to reduce spending as I recall.
Maybe I'll be surprised; I certainly hope so. I'd love to take a bite of that crow!
This site uses Facebook comments to make it easier for you to contribute. If you see a comment you would like to flag for spam or abuse, click the "x" in the upper right of it. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use.