Pinkdome

Budget 2012: Slash & Burn Strategy By Cowards In the Lege

January 20, 2011 Uncategorized

The reports on the budget proposals for Texas starting seeing some daylight yesterday. The harsh realities will continue to become clearer as the Session progresses. As expected, the legislature is going to propose cutting services to avoid raising taxes or tapping into the $9 billion Texas Rainy Day Fund.

The astounding level of short-sightedness and running for political cover would be disappointing instead of just cowardly and shameful if it weren’t for the tens of thousands of Texans that are completely unaware their futures have just been thrown away by the very people they voted for to make their lives better.

The Statesman’s report on the proposals released in the budget claim legislators were “sobered” by the proposals and even some ostriches in the pink dome were “surprised” by the budget. How can someone that is elected to office be taken off guard that the budget shortfall is immense and without raising taxes or generating more revenue there will dramatic and painful cuts to state services? The Statesman does their readers a disservice by not posting their photos and names so that we may know exactly who these supreme idiots really are.

The same article suggests there is still some discrepancy in the dollar amount the budget is lacking. “State leaders, including Gov. Rick Perry, have promised to cut their way out of a budget hole that ranges in size from $15 billion to $27 billion, depending on who is counting.” If my accounting office turned to me and said we are off about $12 billion in balancing our ledger this year, but that’s within an acceptable range no one would leave the room until we balanced to the penny. Why can’t we expect that same out of our state? Oh, politics. I forgot for a minute. There is no accountability in politics, just posturing and pandering.

The latest political posturing was hinted at yesterday with the claim that “technically” there is no budget shortfall because the proposed budget just works with the numbers they have.

Texas’ future includes potentially over 100,000 layoffs for public education employees, closing four community colleges, cutting reimbursement levels for doctors that participate in Medicaid and reducing funding altogether that almost assuredly eliminates health care for Texans (We are already ranked highest in uninsured citizens in Texans) and reduces the budget for our burdened prison system and the child abuse haven of the Texas Youth Commission.

The best part is there is $9 billion dollars sitting in our savings account that no one is willing to touch to prevent these awful decisions.

Once again, when Texas needs real leadership all we get is “All hat, no cattle” from Austin. All of the reports on the budget crisis make sure to mention the legislature expects to get this all wrapped up without having a Special Session. Priorities people, let’s get in and get out of Austin quickly and not ruin our summer! Destroying the lives, health and future of Texans can be done before we all have to hit the lake for vacation!

Oh well, Don’t Mess With Texas! Remember the Alamo! Texas Pride! Empty pride and bravado won’t work this time Texans, it’s time to make hard decisions and we need grown ups with courage to make them. Too bad nobody voted for any.

Can someone get me Carter Casteel on the phone?

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