I am so sick and tired of reading about how every time there is a shortfall of money in the state budget, the governor and other officials in Augusta start cutting funds for schools and programs for the poor and elderly.

It’s time to cut the size of the government in Augusta, and I mean all of it — state agencies, the Legislature, executive branch … everything.

Government agency officials and personnel should take a pay cut, and limit the number of state employees. Things could be run with half the people.

But you don’t hear the governor saying he is willing to take a pay cut or push for downsizing government.

Instead of putting the costs of big government on the children still in school and the poor people, it’s time for the government to back off. The taxpayers can no longer afford the big government in Augusta.

Roger Heutz, Lewiston