Put words into action
Until the budget shakes out in Harrisburg – a process that is now more than 30 days past due – Fayette County won’t know what kind of shape it is in when figuring its own budget later this year. Not much thought has been given to the effect on counties and municipalities as the debate centers on school districts. But everyone should keep in mind the substantial, program-gutting cuts that were made to many social service programs, including transportation, drug and alcohol and libraries. Unless the public is willing to do without, somehow money will be needed to keep these programs afloat.
Fayette County Commissioner Sean Cavanagh has already vowed not to raise local taxes. It is a promise that we fervently wish he and the other two commissioners can keep. But if that is to be, then all three need to cut out the name-calling and political shenanigans and set to work on painstakingly evaluating each program and funding what, and only what, is necessary.
Already Commissioner Ron Nehls is worried that health costs will escalate about $1 million. That’s a lot of ground to make up right from the start, and it shouldn’t, as Nehls is already thinking, naturally fall on the taxpayer to make up the difference.
These are hard economic times all over, and even more so in Fayette County where the unemployment rate exceeds surrounding counties by a couple percentage points. People are struggling and can’t afford an added tax burden.
It’s easy for a politician to utter words such as Cavanagh has in his read-my-lips pledge. It is much more difficult to make the necessary decisions and compromises that are necessary to walk the talk.