|
Published: March 14, 2008 08:41 am
Budget process needs repair
Rank and file have too little time to review final product
By Ronnie Ellis
CNHI News Service
FRANKFORT, Ky. —
A tax package to soften cuts to the state budget narrowly passed the House last week, attracting the minimum 50 votes. But it permitted the House to pass a budget that restored some of the cuts Gov. Steve Beshear recommended in his original budget proposal.
The budget now travels down the hallway to the Senate whose leaders have said they aren’t inclined to raise taxes; while on the first floor, Beshear said the budget contains some funny money and the increase in the cigarette tax is insufficient. Everybody said the House vote is “just the first step in the process.” The Senate will now remake the budget in its image and from comments coming from Senate President David Williams, R-Burkesville, it is likely to look more like Beshear’s – at least along the bottom line.
So the budget will end up being hammered out in a budget conference by leaders of both parties in the two chambers. Behind closed doors, of course, with Kentucky State Police blocking reporters from getting anywhere near the room in which fewer than 20 lawmakers will meet. Williams, House Speaker Jody Richards, D-Bowling Green, House budget chairman Harry Moberly, D-Richmond, and others will periodically come out to brief reporters on the latest compromise or breakthrough.
But sometimes those include entirely new appropriations, funds for projects or programs which haven’t been debated in any committee or on the floor of either the Senate or House and about which the public previously had no knowledge. That’s how money is appropriated for community colleges in the hometowns or districts of some of the negotiators or money is appropriated for pharmacy schools at private, religious institutions.
The process eats up most of the remaining days of the session, and then after a lot of wrangling over how to spend the public’s money – which the public doesn’t get to watch or hear – everyone agrees it’s a good budget under the circumstances. And then the rest of the people elected to conduct Kentucky’s business vote on it without knowing just what is tucked away inside. All of this occurs after legislators spend the first half or more of the session doing very little.
Some legislators who weren’t privy to the closed negotiations complain they haven’t had time to review the budget, but in the end they vote for it. Some vow next time will be different or say it’s time to demand more leadership from their leaders – or new leaders. But next time, nothing much has changed. It’s likely nothing will change this time, either.
- - -
I goofed. Last week in this space I incorrectly said Beshear never made an absolute promise not to raise taxes. A couple of helpful – and gleeful – Republicans pointed out my mistake and provided documentation. I was wrong. So was Beshear to make such a pledge. But he was right to change his mind. And if we are to raise the cigarette tax, we should do it by an amount sufficient to raise a significant amount of money and provide another reason for people not to smoke. (Disclosure: I shouldn’t but I smoke.)
Ronnie Ellis writes for CNHI News Service and is based in Frankfort, Ky. He may be contacted by email at rellis@cnhi.com.
• Click to discuss this story with other readers on our forums.
|
|
|
Photos
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
OTR DRIVERS IT'S SPRING....
Are you missing your family? Call Core Trans LLC Today & Be Home EVERY WEEKEND!! $1,000 sign on BONUS! 2,500-3,000 miles...>MORE
HVAC SERVICING & REPAIR PERSON.
2 years experience. Call 270-651-6226 or 270-590-6134....>MORE
WANTED, TRUCK DRIVERS, OWNER/OPERATOR
to haul logs. Be home every night. Competitive wages. 270-428-3644. Dickerson Lumber Co....>MORE
ASSISTANT MANAGER - UNDERGROUND ATTITUDE
in the Ford Centre is looking for mature sales focused individual interested in a retail career. Candidate must have a m...>MORE
HOW HIRING - HARDEE'S ASST. MANAGER,
Glasgow, KY. Vacations, benefits, insurance, flex. scheduling. Mail resume or letter to 205 W. Cherry, Glasgow....>MORE
FULL-TIME ENTRY LEVEL MAINTENANCE WORKER
needed for East-West Trucking Company in Glasgow. Medical and dental insurance is available after 90 days. For more info...>MORE
OWNER/OPERATORS NEEDED IMMEDIATELY!
CLD Class A. Good MVR. 2 years experience. Call Ken: 270-670-6977....>MORE
TEMP TO PERM INDUSTRIAL JOB OPENINGS IN GLASGOW & HORSE CAVE.
Most jobs require you to be able to pass drug screen, criminal background check and have high school diploma or GED. All...>MORE
SPECTRUM CARE ACADEMY IS LOOKINGOF R AN INDIVIDUAL THAT IS A MASTER'S LEVEL
who is eligible for a license in counseling in the state of Kentucky. We are a Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facilit...>MORE
NOW HIRING OTR TRUCK DRIVERS
Paid practical miles, good home time & pd. vacation. Call Steven at 270-618-9708....>MORE
See all ads |
|
2005 CORVETTE, LEMANS, BLUE, LS2
fully optioned. 25K, 1 owner miles. $33,900. 678-3212....>MORE
FOR RENT: TWO TRAILER LOTS.
Located at Hollow Rd. in Glasgow. Call 270-651-6786....>MORE
'01 HONDA ACCORD, WHITE, 4 CYL.,
2 door, loaded, 90,000 miles, 24/34 mgp. Great car for young driver. $10,500. 270-590-1733....>MORE
1997 DODGE DAKOTA SPORT,
club cab, 4 WD 138K, well kept. $6000. 270-670-7218....>MORE
1997 GMC 1500 4WD AUTO,
107K, gooseneck, cruise, PW, PDL, $6,000. 427-4314....>MORE
2003 CHEVY UTILITY VAN, (SEATS AVAILABLE),
V-6, all power, runs great. $2,500. OBO. 270-786-1102....>MORE
1996 CHEVY TRUCK, EXT. CAB,
road ready, extra good condition. Call 270-678-2568, leave name & number if no answer....>MORE
2007 HARLEY DAVIDSON ROAD KING.
6 speed, 96 cu. in., gray, like brand new, 3,500 miles. $16,400. Call 270-579-2874.
...>MORE
LOOKING FOR A GREAT AUTO DEAL?.....
Looking to buy or sell?
Check here for the Premium Auto Section.
You can post an ad with unlimited text and ...>MORE
1988 F250 FORD TRUCK,
factory rebuilt, 200 engine, 5 speed, new clutch, pressure plate, twin exhaust & tires. $2,000.00. 1983 F150 200 engine....>MORE
See all ads |
|
1 BEDROOM, WITH APPLIANCES. $300/MO.
With Depsoit. Call 646-5918 days....>MORE
GREAT HOUSE IN TOWN! 2000+ SQ. FT.,
3 BR, 2 BA brick ranch with 2 car attached garage and large flat yard. Completely updated. Roof, central h/a, windows, &...>MORE
NEW CONSTRUCTION HOME - 4 BR, 2 BA
707 Megan Lane, Hidden Acres Sbd., 1940 sq. ft. $189,500. 678-9704....>MORE
JUST REMODELED. LARGE 2 BR W/ 4 APPLIANCES,
washer & dryer hookup, water, $475/mo. dep. 103 S. Franklin. 710-1377.
...>MORE
APARTMENT FOR SALE ON WALNUT ST.
$38,000. Call 270-678-9831 or 270-590-1401....>MORE
2 BDRM MOBILE HOMES with a/c, in the hospital
and school area. Ref. req., 1 yr. lease and security deposit. Outsite pets. HUD accepted. 270-842-0820 or 404-5414....>MORE
SEMI-FURNISHED APARTMENT.
1 BR, BA, LR & kitchen, $300 mo. + $200 dep. No pets. Call 270-678-2585....>MORE
RENT UNTIL YOU CAN OWN! 214 Lee St.,
Glasgow. Double wide, 3 R, 2 BA. $600 mo. + $600 dep. Call 270-792-3856....>MORE
2 BR DUPLEX, STOVE, REFRIG., W/D FURNISHED
Available 5-1-08. $425.00 Dep. $400.00 month. No pets. Call 270-678-6784....>MORE
2 BR, 1 BA DUPLEX, ALL APPLIANCES FURNISHED,
in town, no pets, $425 mo. + dep. & yard maint. included, 1 yr. lease required. 270-646-8538 or 270-651-7514....>MORE
See all ads |
|
 |
|
Print this story
E-mail this story
Discuss this story
