Facts show state spending really is down

Fact is SPENDING IS UP! It does not matter where the revenue comes from. Just because we have it we should not spend it. Got to love the Spendocrats.

This just goes to show that accounting figures can be used whichever way one wants. The important part is what makes up the numbers. I am glad the Sun Journal decided to investigate the figures.

Yet another great post Bob. My question is......what happens to people? there is NO more money, the state/Fed gravy train is over. And, you only described the tip of the ice berg to the fiscal difficulties coming. Can you say California? I think Mayor LePage should bow out, I cannot believe ANYONE would willingly walk into that mess. We should just close Augusta, start over. I wonder if anyone would notice?

This editorial either illustrates an ignorance of basic public sector finance or is an attempt to mislead the readers in an effort to provide cover for the Democrats. Take your pick.

Spending is spending, whether the state funds an EBT (welfare) card or cuts a check to a paving contractor. Spending is "cash out."

Revenue, used to generate "cash in", really has little to do with spending other than to fund it.

If I walk up to the register at Wal-Mart and buy $100 worth of groceries, I need to fork over $100 to Wal-Mart. If I take $75 bucks out of my right hand pants pocket and $25 bucks out of my left hand pocket, I can't say that I only spent $75. That is the argument that the editorial seems to be attempting to make.

I would also note that the State spent hundreds of millions more that is now being carried as a payable to Maine's health care providers. I think the amount the Democrats owe (they control the spending) is now over $300,000,000 and is approaching $400,000,000. And this balance is on top of the hundreds of millions of dollars in "American Recovery" funds (some recovery we are having, heh?) they have applied to the outstanding balance in the account before the "Recovery" funds were sent down to Augusta by Obama and cabal. Let's not let that drop down the "memory hole" while carrying the legislature's water.

The real interesting stuff will play out next year. The legislature will need to stop the spending train created by the Democrats over the last 40 years. They are now an estimated $1 billion short and Baldacci just accepted $39 million in the teacher job preservation funds offered as a sacrifice to the teacher unions by Obama. There is a string attached to the $39 million. Baldacci locked educational spending at the same level as last year. So, now the legislature will have to find $1 billion without touching educational spending. Good luck. Looks like the taxpayers are going to have to fork over even more in taxes as the Great Recession deepens.

"Fletcher apparently chose to lump together state and federal revenue."

Repeat a lie enough and you are a Republican. Plus it looks like Mr. numbnutz can't do basic math. The stupid - it burns..........

Bottom line - the state HAS NOT reduced spending, they've simply reduced the amount of spending undertaken with state dollars - they simply spend federal dollars instead...this is the stupidist editorial yet!

OK, if I give you that the State has reduced spending, will you give me that it has done so by reducing revenue sharing with the municipalities and school districts? So, the State has reduced spending (but NOT reduced taxes) and then the municipalities increase property taxes to make up for the reduced State funding for towns and schools. Shifting. That's all it is. So I don't view the State as being a big hero because it has reduced (shifted) spending....and I won't, until I see reduced State and local taxes.

So the budget is higher and growing but because its federal dollars and not state dollars, suddenly its okay and the world is perfect? What a load of crap! Dear Sun Journal - you need to remember one important fact - at the end of the day, whether its federal or state dollars being paid at the state level, it still comes out of my pocket. While its easy for the state to make claims of saving taxpapyers its a bunch of shallow promises as the current administration and democrats in power don't know how to cut spending! Oh wait here comes Mr. Albrecth when he awakens at noon to tell us the democrats had a smaller budget this past year than in the past 6 years, but he'll make no mention of the truth - which is that the budget was actually much larger than previous years until the Maine Constitution rules kicked in and revenues did not match projections and they were FORCED to make cuts to have a balanced budget.

So, another politician with an (R) next to his name is just making sh*t up about spending? And that's news?

a gubernatorial campaign from a fellow republican. That's politics, and that's fine, but I am ecstatic that the misrepresentations by the wacko right is being exposed. People can decide whether it makes a difference or not, but only if the truth is out there. This illustrates that the LePage republicans are going to 'cook' the figures. Voters beware, if you care.