Issue Position: State Budget

Issue Position

John's record on finances is one based on common sense -- you don't spend more than you can afford. Relative to the proposed FY 2011 State budget, John is concerned that approximately $489 million in revenue to support budget spending are one time revenues, with $175 million proposed from the Stabilization Fund, $100 million from shifting debt payments, nearly $160 million coming from one time payments from the federal government relating to past payments due under the federal Medicare program, $19 million from the sale of State- owned land, and $35 million in funds transferred from off-budget trust funds. He is also concerned that the State is relying on nearly $1.394 billion in federal recovery funds to balance the FY 2011 budget. At this time, there is no guarantee that the State will get those funds. John believes that using one time revenues to support recurring costs creates a structural deficit that only prolongs the budget problem. John won't go along to get along on budget issues. As your State Senator, he will review the budget line by line, calling for the justification of every tax dollar spent. He'll make the tough decisions necessary to responsibly balance the budget in the short-term, and to provide for structurally sound budgets in the future.

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