CTroyMathis
19 January 2003, 10:39 PM
Gamble is too risky for Texas
Bob Ray Sanders commentary
Fort Worth Star-Telegram
http://www.dfw.com/mld/startelegram/news/columnists/bob_ray_sanders/4969206.htm
Whenever the state of Texas gets into financial trouble, it often reverts to the same thing that a lot of dysfunctional people turn to: sin.
As the Legislature begins to tackle huge problems while being strapped by a mammoth budget shortfall -- $9.9 billion or so -- prepare to hear more talk about so-called sin taxes (on cigarettes and alcohol) and ideas for more gambling.
Even before she announced the latest projected shortfall, state Comptroller Carole Keeton Strayhorn was attempting to get ahead of the budgetary fray by proposing certain cuts in spending and a new revenue source generated by having Texas become part of a multi-state lottery such as Powerball.
Strayhorn predicts that the additional lottery would produce about $101.5 million for the state treasury over two years.
First of all, we don't need any more state-sponsored gambling in Texas. In fact, the state shouldn't be in the gambling business at all, but that battle already has been lost.
Strayhorn says "hogwash" to anyone who remotely suggests new taxing sources as a solution to the state's budget crisis.
"Hogwash" is exactly what I say to any plan to extend the lottery.
It will be tough for this Legislature to balance the budget as required by the state constitution, especially with the comptroller, governor, lieutenant governor, speaker of the House and practically every other elected leader having sworn not to entertain the idea of raising taxes, except on those "sinful" things.
Of course, fees are not taxes, so hunters and other sportsmen and -women, as well as automobile owners, probably can expect to pay more to enjoy their hobbies and vehicles.
Surely most people in Austin, including Gov. Rick Perry and Strayhorn, realize that they will not be able to cut enough fat or increase enough fees to cover a $10 billion shortfall.
So, in the meantime, they'll point fingers.
Strayhorn blames the spendthrift Legislature for squandering too much money in the last session. Taking a cue from her, the governor also pointed a finger at the legislative branch.
But the governor has to share some responsibility. Every piece of legislation that becomes law will bear his signature, and the greatest power a Texas governor has is that of the veto.
In his first year in office, Perry vetoed a record 82 bills, including one that would have prevented execution of the mentally retarded. If he thought the Legislature was passing too many bills that put the state in financial jeopardy, maybe he should have vetoed a few more.
There really is no time to play the blame game. The biennial legislative session lasts only 140 days.
During last year's political campaigns, the Republican leaders who were running for election played down predictions of a major budget shortfall.
Strayhorn insisted that those suggesting a $10 billion to $12 billion revenue shortage were wrong. She could see no more than $5 billion, and she said she already had identified enough cuts and potential sales tax revenue to cover much of that.
Other Republican candidates, including the governor and lieutenant governor, simply echoed the comptroller's predictions when questioned about what they would do to balance a state budget in such financial straits.
Well, now the Republicans have it all -- all the top leadership positions, all the power and all the headaches that come with balancing a state budget when there are no surpluses to brag about.
I'm ready to see some real leadership in Austin for a change.
But I won't hold my breath
Bob Ray Sanders commentary
Fort Worth Star-Telegram
http://www.dfw.com/mld/startelegram/news/columnists/bob_ray_sanders/4969206.htm
Whenever the state of Texas gets into financial trouble, it often reverts to the same thing that a lot of dysfunctional people turn to: sin.
As the Legislature begins to tackle huge problems while being strapped by a mammoth budget shortfall -- $9.9 billion or so -- prepare to hear more talk about so-called sin taxes (on cigarettes and alcohol) and ideas for more gambling.
Even before she announced the latest projected shortfall, state Comptroller Carole Keeton Strayhorn was attempting to get ahead of the budgetary fray by proposing certain cuts in spending and a new revenue source generated by having Texas become part of a multi-state lottery such as Powerball.
Strayhorn predicts that the additional lottery would produce about $101.5 million for the state treasury over two years.
First of all, we don't need any more state-sponsored gambling in Texas. In fact, the state shouldn't be in the gambling business at all, but that battle already has been lost.
Strayhorn says "hogwash" to anyone who remotely suggests new taxing sources as a solution to the state's budget crisis.
"Hogwash" is exactly what I say to any plan to extend the lottery.
It will be tough for this Legislature to balance the budget as required by the state constitution, especially with the comptroller, governor, lieutenant governor, speaker of the House and practically every other elected leader having sworn not to entertain the idea of raising taxes, except on those "sinful" things.
Of course, fees are not taxes, so hunters and other sportsmen and -women, as well as automobile owners, probably can expect to pay more to enjoy their hobbies and vehicles.
Surely most people in Austin, including Gov. Rick Perry and Strayhorn, realize that they will not be able to cut enough fat or increase enough fees to cover a $10 billion shortfall.
So, in the meantime, they'll point fingers.
Strayhorn blames the spendthrift Legislature for squandering too much money in the last session. Taking a cue from her, the governor also pointed a finger at the legislative branch.
But the governor has to share some responsibility. Every piece of legislation that becomes law will bear his signature, and the greatest power a Texas governor has is that of the veto.
In his first year in office, Perry vetoed a record 82 bills, including one that would have prevented execution of the mentally retarded. If he thought the Legislature was passing too many bills that put the state in financial jeopardy, maybe he should have vetoed a few more.
There really is no time to play the blame game. The biennial legislative session lasts only 140 days.
During last year's political campaigns, the Republican leaders who were running for election played down predictions of a major budget shortfall.
Strayhorn insisted that those suggesting a $10 billion to $12 billion revenue shortage were wrong. She could see no more than $5 billion, and she said she already had identified enough cuts and potential sales tax revenue to cover much of that.
Other Republican candidates, including the governor and lieutenant governor, simply echoed the comptroller's predictions when questioned about what they would do to balance a state budget in such financial straits.
Well, now the Republicans have it all -- all the top leadership positions, all the power and all the headaches that come with balancing a state budget when there are no surpluses to brag about.
I'm ready to see some real leadership in Austin for a change.
But I won't hold my breath