Once Again Lawmakers, Tripping Over the Trees, Looking for Forest

01-26-05 | Rep. John Rhodes

[RepublicanReptile]

Fw:Rep John W Rhodes Johnrh@ncleg.net Letter to the Editor The Charlotte Observer January 24 2005

Once Again Lawmakers, Tripping Over the Trees, Looking for Forest. Rep. John W. Rhodes 704-892-7783

Once again North Carolinians will be watching the story unfold of how their state is in such financial disrepair as the 2004-05 General Assembly convenes Wednesday. Once again lawmakers will be tripping over the trees in search of the illusive forest, a quick fix the current budget, or at least make things look rosy for their next election.

Folks, this is not rocket science, the cure for North Carolina's budget ills is available. North Carolina does not have an income problem, it has a priority of spending crisis.

Liken the state budget to an individual who has an income of $500,000, which is an adequate income to provide for oneself and family, but if the same individual spends $750,000 a year (liken to North Carolina's overspending) he does not have an income problem, he has a spending problem. It's a spending problem, not an income/revenue problem, so the need for tax increases on smokes and services, other well hidden revenue increases, and a lottery (which will actually bring in little revenue) is not needed.

North Carolina is currently 47th in education and 36th in roads. Given the huge amount of spending, something's not right, and it will continue to "not be right" if we throw another countless hundreds of millions at the budget. To do so would be short sighted and would only bring us back to the place where we are right now. There is a saying, "if you keep on doing what you've always done, you'll keep on getting what you've always gotten."

A constitutional amendment to limit spending is needed immediately so that North Carolina can finally fix budget woes in a permanent manner. TABOR or a Taxpayer's Bill of Rights, similar to Colorado's TABOR for North Carolina, will do just that. The Governor's proposed spending limit which is largely statutory, will leave the door wide open for lawmakers and other likely suspects to reach in the cookie jar for more to fund unnecessary spending whims. Can you say, "Dude, you're getting a Dell", thus placing us in the same position again. A constitutional amendment to limit spending in congruence with inflation and population growth will provide necessary obstacles to stop any mischief and need for an increased spending "fix". It's kind of like taking a drug abuser off the dope, eliminate the availability of the drug, and provide for a rehabilitation program to cure the patient. TABOR is the rehab program.

Had North Carolina enacted TABOR in 1995 here's the picture of our state budget today. TABOR would have provided citizens a $1.4 billion dollar tax rebate check or cut, a $400 million emergency fund, and a $1 billion budget stabilization fund providing for core governmental functions. There is a better plan and it's available. To just simply increase taxes is irresponsible and won't work, it's like giving the druggie another hit, but won't cure the patient permanently. The citizens deserve a permanent solution.

[RepublicanReptile]

PING

[drt1]

The article has a familiar ring - These sounds are being heard in virtually every State and, most loudly, from DC. In Mich. we have an . . er . . . Spending Problem too. Some of the same fixes are being recommended here as well - Higher Taxes.

[Constitution Day]

NC *Ping*

Please FRmail Constitution Day, TaxRelief OR Helms if you want to be added to or removed from this North Carolina ping list.

[lainde]

bttt

[andyland]

Americans For Prosperity of NC is pushing the TABOR legislation in North Carolina. We need this BADLY!

The state has a $1.3 billion budget shortfall (i.e. spending problem)for 2005 even after raising taxes by over $1 billion for 4 years!!

We need TABOR NOW!

[JWinNC]

TABOR bump!