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Budget cuts are not the only answer

February 09, 2010

Rep. Neil Hansen (Guest commentary), StandardNet

With the second week of the session under our belts, things at the Legislature are progressing. Committees have been meeting frequently, and we have been busy as ever. While bills on various topics have floated their way through, the state budget is still the hot topic on Capitol Hill.

Over the last few years, we were able to put money into a "rainy day" fund that most states can only wish for, and this happened because of the billion-dollar surplus we had right after the Olympics. Various ideas and theories exist among my colleagues of what the proper action should be to solve the $700 million budget deficit that Utah faces.

While serving in the Legislature for the past 12 years, I have watched the annual budget triple, which is a tremendous increase in the amount of money Utah spends each year. Seeing this increase makes me wonder why we can't do a better job in spending taxpayer's money.

Some legislators have a desire to dip into Utah's "rainy day" fund so our state-sponsored programs can still exist. Without funding, these state-sponsored programs will simply dry up. Therefore, as legislator, I am looking for the best possible method to make sure these programs will not wither. I feel the best solution to solving our financial situation is to reprioritize our spending.

For years, Utah has spent millions of dollars on road construction and other such services. Some members of the Legislature feel that budgeting money for roads and other construction services is essential. I do not ignore the need to maintain our roads and build new ones, but when times get tough, we need to decide what is most important.

If you were to ask me what is important, I would say, education, health care, and those services that no resident should go without. In 20 or 30 years, I cringe at the thought of my children and grandchildren asking me why Utah has brand new roads, but the children do not have a bus to ride to school or a 12th grade to attend. While budget committees are meeting, my hope is that we will be responsible to Utahns and look for new ways to fund those necessary programs that the public rely on.

I am sure the Legislature will be able to come up with an effective solution in reprioritizing spending within the state, instead of cutting programs that many people depend on.

The fate of many programs will be decided by the Legislature this session, such as non-profit organizations who serve those with disabilities. These institutions generally provide apartments for the disabled to live in. The staff of these apartment complexes help those with disabilities, to go grocery shopping, pay their bills, to help clean their apartments, get to doctor appointments, and keep in contact with family and friends.

Discussions have occurred that cutting programs like this would provide tax dollars for other services the state provides. What is the result of cutting programs like this? One problem with this option is that whatever state dollars are spent, a three-to-one match of federal dollars comes in. The result would be that those with disabilities would need to find a new place to live. With such a dramatic increase in the budget year after year, it seems to me that somewhere in the state's budget the Legislature would be able to find money to keep worthwhile programs like this one, as a result of reprioritizing spending.

Many legislators have identified the retirement fund as an issue that the Legislature must address this session. This fund lost $3 billion due to the downturn in the economy. When this occurs, should someone be held accountable or is this situation out of our control? Some legislators are pushing to revamp the whole retirement system, but I believe we need to let the economy rebound and then reassess where we are upon recovery, as was done in the early '80s and mid-'90s. For now, better oversight in allocating and spending tax dollars needs to be done.

I have heard many people speak about budget cuts. Budget cuts mean that programs we use are going to be cut. All options need to be considered. Budget cuts are not the only answer. Money is going to nonessential programs right now, and if cut, would not be missed. This money could then be given to programs such as education and health care.

As we do this, the residents of our state will receive the services they need.

Rep. Hansen, of Ogden, represents House District 9, which covers central Weber County.

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Source: http://www.standard.net/topics/opinion/2010/02/06/budget-cuts-are-not-only-answer