More for them
When a state faces a revenue shortfall of more than $3 billion, one that represents about 10 percent of the previous year’s total spending, some hard choices and lots of sacrifice are necessary. So it’s not a surprise that the budget plan delivered more than 100 days late contains an abundance of pain for many state agencies and departments.
The $27.8 billion plan reduces general fund spending across state government by 1.8 percent, or $524 million less than last year.
It uses billions in federal stimulus money to partially make up for the Legislature’s politically motivated refusal to raise any broad-based tax rates, and covers the rest of the revenue shortfall with severe cuts to some state agencies.
The Department of Community and Economic Development, which uses grant programs to boost business growth, will get $265 million this year – a whopping 53 percent cut from last year.
Labor and Industry suffered a $29 million cut, about 25 percent, and lost its vocation rehabilitation, entrepreneurial assistance and self-employment assistance line items, according to The Associated Press.
Conservation and Natural Resources lost 19 percent, including half its forest pest management money and more than $9 million for state parks operations.
Historical and Museum Commission support for eight museums was cut more than 50 percent, and the state’s Public Television Network subsidy of $11.3 million was eliminated.
Environmental Protection lost 27 percent of its funding, about $58 million, which included an $11 million safe water initiative.
Indeed, these were hard choices for hard times.
Unless, of course, you happened to work for one of the four caucuses in the Legislature itself.
The state Senate absorbed a 9.6 percent cut to $92 million, and the state House took 3.8 percent cut to $185 million. That’s right – the state House is getting more funding than Labor and Industry and only $80 million less than the entire budget for Community and Economic Development.
The practical fallout from all these budget cuts probably won’t become clear for some time.
But one thing is clear right now: When tough choices are necessary, it pays to be the ones making them.
(Chambersburg) Public Opinion