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Political notes from Free Press staff writers Terri Hallenbeck, Sam Hemingway and Nancy Remsen


4.29.2009

 

Sen. Susan Bartlett on budget realities

The Vermont Legislature's six budget negotiators sat across the table this afternoon trading questions and essentially treading water. Why? They are waiting for the "parameters" for budget cutting to be sketched out by House Speaker Shap Smith, Senate President Pro Tempore Peter Shumlin and Gov. Jim Douglas.

"Until we have that box we really can't do much," Sen. Susan Bartlett, D-Lamoille said to her two Senate colleagues and three House counterparts.

But she had a message -- more for the audience than the other negotiators. "We know, no matter what the parameters are, we going to have to make some significant reductions." She continued, "I tell everyone there is nothing sacred or safe."

The negotiators have already suggested they won't tap the rainy day funds to make up for $14.6 million in revenue projected to evaporate by June 30 and $43 million that won't come in as earlier projected next year.

Speaking of the budget, House Republicans called a news conference to chastise Democrats for failing to get busy sooner on budget belt-tightening. House Republican Leader Patti Komline, R-Dorset, said, "Since before this session began, House Republicans have been calling for significant structural changes in state government in an effort to make it leaner and more efficient."

The announcement about the news conference said House Republicans would unveil a plan to tackle the short and long-term state budget crisis. The plan was pretty general -- keep services for the state's most vulnerable and make cuts to non-essential services. Long-term, develop a plan to restructure government and cap school spending next year.

When asked for specifics -- ideas that might help the budget negotiators come up with $43 million in savings next year and $14.6 million in the current budget -- House Republicans suggested cutting conservation funding ($4 million), and a new welfare program called Reach Ahead (less than $1 million) and cultural support (over $1 million)

They brought out a "master list of reduction ideas" assembled last December, plus a proposal Assistant House Republican Leader Pat McDonald, R-Berlin, developed in early January. McDonald said these were ideas to explore, not ideas the caucus endorsed.

Since House Republicans didn't have the solution in hand, what were they trying to do?

"We are hoping to inspire them (Democratic leadership, since Democrats have majorities in both the House and Senate) to become a lot bolder," Komline said. And, she stressed, look first at cuts before considering raising taxes or fees.

Bartlett warns of big cuts.
Komline calls for bold cuts.
Advocates have got to be worried that "big" plus "bold" spells bad news for their funding priorities.

-- Nancy Remsen

Comments:
What are these Republicans thinking?! Conservation can't wait. With all this new housing going in, don't they understand that all this land is under threat from development?
 
"...a proposal Assistant House Republican Leader Pat McDonald, R-Berlin, developed in early January."So why haven't the Democrats taken some time to look at this proposal? Sounds like they have had plenty of time.
 
Who says that the Dems have not looked at McDonald's proposal?

The fact that she has an idea does not mean that she has a good idea.
 
The Vt House GOP - Same Old, Same Old!

They are as irrelevant as the National GOP!!!
 
Time for the Dems to actually cut some social programs.

The state budget they proposed last week was 6% higher than last year's. Instead, they should be looking for a 6% cut.
 
With democrats like these, who needs republicans?
 
The Governor originally said he wanted to cut 600 employees. I can think of at least that many, from all Vermont State jobs, The Housing authority, transportation, the state could cut 600 positions today and it wouldn't hurt services. If it does, then people need to work a little harder now don't they?
 
350 positions were already eliminated last year - If you don't think this hurts then you really do not understand state gov't and the services it provides.

This reduction in force also impacts private sector companies that have to do business thru' state oversight.
 
It doesn't matter - Bartlett and Heathe will end up doing whatever the Governor, Lunderville and Reardon want!

They are such phonies!
 
Re:"350 positions were already eliminated last year - If you don't think this hurts then you really do not understand state gov't and the services it provides."

I do understand state Government and Services, all to well, which is exactly why I said, the state could cut 600 positions today and it wouldn't hurt services. Way to many people living on the public trough. And I am not talking about Clients.
 
Sen. Susan Bartlett on budget realities

The title of this thread is a joke in itself. Bartlett hasn't got a clue about "budget reality."
 
The Legislature and the Senate should be asking for help from financial advisors. They do not have those skills.
 
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