State Budget Cuts Make No Sense

So I am usually kind of proud of how we as a state have to keep a balanced budget, and cannot over spend our capability pay. It is a fruitful endeavor for sure when applied with the logic and foresight of a well-crafted budget. What I do not support, however, is the arbitrary and hardship inducing budget cuts that loom in our state’s near future.

As of this month, the state is ordering 10 percent budget cuts across the board from all its state agencies. That means that MDT, DOJ, DMA, and every other agency will share in cuts arbitrarily across the board. This is coming as DNRC and the Montana National Guard fight diligently to take on the scourge of fires plaguing our Treasure State, and why? Because we couldn’t correctly project revenues?

Nonetheless, OPI and DPHHS will lose $6.6 million and $14 million respectively. That is the same DPHHS responsible for overseeing the burdened foster care system, and taking on the job of overseeing health and nursing facilities across the state. The Office of Public Instruction will no doubt have just as easy of time training teachers and educating young people with their loss, but I digress.

The point is this was seen coming and the solution was to put up a wall instead of a net. The Governor and lawmakers actually worked out a four tier system to execute in the event of a shortfall, and the current state of affairs triggered all four steps. Naturally, instead of seeking a solution, we again are going along with the absurdity that is allowing government to be more harmful and wasteful that is good and ultimately costing us, the taxpayers, more money.

Why not just increase revenue generation, and balance the budget in a manner that makes sense? Why not properly fund our emergency budgets, so the Guard and DNRC can do their jobs? Why not back farmers and ranchers who are undoubtedly going to have a rough year, and make up for the revenue shortfalls through aid instead of austerity? Why not expand education and push for vocational transitioning for out of work coal miners and oil workers? Why not be proactive in fixing the budget woes instead of taking a knife and cutting off our hand to stop the dog from biting it?

It really is puzzling what we allow our government to do in our name. If cuts are needed, let them come sanely and in a manner that supports our economy and future. Let us hope we prevent the disaster waiting to threaten an already embattled state of affairs under the Big Sky.