A Revenue Problem?
February 24, 2010A revenue problem seems to be the new excuse for Democrats to propose raising taxes on Granite Staters. In today’s editorial, the UL is exposing Sen. Sgambati’s position on what the state needs to do to get out of the position that the state is in now financially.
The budget is in trouble, she wrote, because, “revenue is down and citizens’ needs are up.” Proposals to cut more spending won’t help because “there is little room to reduce costs without harm. Four areas of expense drive the state budget: corrections, education, Medicaid and retirement. They are not optional.”
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“So where does this leave us,” Sgambati asks. “In need of revenue, at least until the economy rebounds.”
That means tax increases or expanded gambling. At least we know where she stands going into this fall’s elections.
I wonder why she wouldn’t just come out and say that she is suggesting that the state raises taxes to pay for her pet projects and outrageous spending. I guess it really is an Election Year when Democrats start to move towards the Republican platform.
Amos Tuck
Feb 24, 2010
Matt: Respectfully, I don’t think you have it quite right. You wrote “I wonder why she wouldn’t just come out and say that she is suggesting that the state raises taxes to pay for her pet projects and outrageous spending.”
In her Concord Monitor op-ed Sgambati was very upfront she wants to raise more revenue. She is an honest tax and spend liberal. I will give her that!
Matt Suermann
Feb 24, 2010
Thanks Amos. I read Sgambati’s Monitor Op Ed, available here in case any one is interested, http://www.concordmonitor.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100221/OPINION/2210342, and see that I was wrong for giving her the benefit of the doubt.
Yup, she’s honest about one thing at least.
steve vaillancourt
Feb 24, 2010
David Boutin, who won in a landslide last week despite Jeff Goley and his people spending about $40 per vote, had it exactly right. At a time when people must tighten their belts, government must tighten its belt as well. Of course, we have a revenue problem, because in bad times, revenues don’t come in as we’d hope. Govt then must tighten its belt rather than passing more taxes and fees which hurt private enterprise even more.
With two days to go in February, the revenue situation continues to look dire. Rooms and meals revenues-remember the tax went up from eigh to nine percent-continues to come in at 10 percent below plan. Lottery is off about 18 percent for the month. In fact while Feb is a slow month for revenues, with two days to go, we’ve taken in only $76.9 million of $94.2 million planned. That’s $17.3 million short or more than 18 percent. Again, only tobacco is overperforming. Business tax indications are especially ominous-again we have two days left-but we’ve taken in only $9.6 million of a projected $16 million in that category-tough to make up in two days and if it’s any sign of what’s to come in the big tax months of March and April, Whoa Nellie. Lynch’s attempt to cut $140 million won’t be nearly enough.
If Sgambati and Dems had their way, govt would spend more and more and tax more and more, thus destroying any private sector rebound.
Senator Boutin trounced Goley because he got it right-the answer to revenues falling short is to stop spending what we don’t have!