I am writing in response to Ann Danforth’s rebuttal, “Priorities,” which appeared on May 5.

Ms. Danforth effectively blurs the facts by confusing state and federal government in her justification for the Democrats’ budget.

Yes, the Clinton administration had a surplus, but how does that relate to our state’s deficit? The truth is that Democrats have grown our state’s budget by more than 60 percent in the past decade. By borrowing $450 million, they are only aggravating Maine’s already grim fiscal situation.

As history shows us, Democrats and Republicans alike have customarily taken the time needed to craft and agree to consensus budget. Not this time. More Democrats voted with Republicans than Republicans – only one – voted with Democrats.

Additionally, before it was all said and done, Republicans offered Democrats a compromise resolution to provide more time to fill the gaps in the governor’s flawed budget proposal. The offer came when it was clear a bipartisan majority of the Legislature could not agree on major parts of the governor’s $5.71 billion budget proposal.

The Democrats summarily rejected the Republican resolution to allow more time for both parties to work together and all but dictated that this budget be passed by April 1 – which was just days away.

This is a Republican budget, too? No, not this one.

This is the Democrats’ budget, and congratulations to them for that. They earned it, and after watching them squirm for the past few weeks, they know it.

Brent Bowen, Lewiston

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