This week we have written about how state budget cuts would affect local agencies in Newton County. Gov. Sonny Perdue has asked all state agencies to shave 6 percent out of their FY 2009 budgets. This could result in a number of unnecessary and detrimental consequences for our public safety and health departments, local governments and judicial systems and our schools.
Articles in newspapers all over Georgia are suggesting the cuts could impede programs such as police and firefighter training, HIV/AIDs drug therapy, independent care waivers, educational resources for mentally disabled students and school transportation.
Trimming the fat out of Golden Dome pork was apparently not an option. An article published in the AJC points out "insurance companies, pig farmers and private-school scholarship groups" will continue to enjoy their tax breaks. While fuel used to transport hogs across Georgia will not be taxed, state employees may have to endure furloughs or forced, unpaid days off of work. What happened to the rosy picture Perdue painted in January when he proposed decreased property taxes, promised more State Troopers on the road and pledged money to reinforcing the state's water resources?
The Georgia Budget and Policy Institute issued a report advising of other ways legislators could pare down the budget without taking money away from vital state agencies. The recommendations were to increase the cigarette tax by $1 a pack, reduce or eliminate the Homeowners Tax Relief Grant, eliminate some special interest tax breaks passed during the last two years, reduce or eliminate Board of Regents and state employee pay raises and using at least 50 percent of the Revenue Shortfall Reserve. The report estimates those measures could generate almost $1.4 trillion, so even only acting on one or two of them could eradicate the need to slash essential services.
Employees of The Covington News are human and appreciate salary increases and would like to keep as much of the money we earn as we can. However, we understand the need for taxes. Areas where funding is needed most are where the governor has proposed we seize the money. We support state funds going toward community projects such as promoting tourism and historical building restoration. But, when a young firefighter has trouble controlling a blaze, drivers have to swerve through a maze of orange barrels on the highway or students are learning from decades-old text books, maybe it's time to review what coffers our legislators are filling.
It is time to trim the fat, and pork is a pretty fatty meat.
