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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 8, 2001 |
Contact: Rep. Galen Fox Tel.: 586-8520 |
FOX: BIG BUDGET INCREASE WRONG
Government should be both smaller and more efficient
"The State House budget continues to grow despite evidence that we should be cutting taxes to head off hard times. Hawaii faces the real prospect of an economic downturn. We depend heavily on the economies of Japan and the mainland. The Japanese economy is in recession. The U.S. economy has already approached zero growth and because of the situation, the Feds are reducing taxes. Our state government is too big for the economy that supports it. To cut taxes, we should make government smaller and more efficient.
"Democrats favor budget increases for 2002 of $425M (12%) and for 2003 of $940M (15%). Taxes will fund 425 new positions next year and 520 the year after. Instead of growing government, we need a harder look at how we spend all our money.
"A recent report by the State Auditor has given us suggestions on how to improve the budget. The legislature could strengthen its technical capabilities; exercise more of its existing powers over appropriations; take on additional budgetary powers; and tighten its control over executive branch spending.
"And there are other reforms that we could try. Right now, the majority party only wants to talk about all the wonderful programs that we are funding. The problem is not with the programs, but with how we run them. Who doesn't want better schools, safer streets, and support for the elderly? The Republicans believe that there is a better and more efficient way. If we spend more wisely, there will be more money for programs and greater opportunities to give funds back to the taxpayers who earned them.
"In Hawaii today, we have no time for a business as usual. There is a crisis on the horizon. Government must help by doing more with less."
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